Snow Spell (right) challenges at the last under Tommy Treacy© Photo Healy Racing
The Tom Foley-trained Buck Breeze was the subject of strong support in the Prime Beef Handicap Hurdle but it was stable-companion Snow Spell who came out on top following a tremendous finish to the two-mile event.
Foley’s daughter Adrienne set the pace on Buck Breeze (15/2-5/1) and, after coming under strong pressure early in the straight, still held a narrow advantage at the final flight.
However the veteran 12-year-old gelding was edged out on the run-in firstly by Luke’s Benefit (9/2), and then the well-timed late surge of Snow Spell (5/1).
Tommy Treacy got the almost white daughter of Daylami up in the final strides to beat Luke’s Benefit by half a length, with Buck Breeze another length and a quarter back in third.
Foley said, “She’s tough but Tommy said she hated that tacky ground. We were praying for rain all week as she wants loose ground. She doesn’t want it good either as she’s a big mare with big feet.
“She might go chasing next year but she’s well-bred and if I owned her I’d put her in foal. She’s a half-sister to a Group 1 winner. She’s had a lot of problems but if she stays winning I don’t mind.”
