Wychwood Warrior and Shane Foley see off I Will Excel and Emmet McNamara © Photo Healy Racing
Wychwood Warrior bounced out fresh and well from a recent campaign out in Dubai, to justify odds-on favouritism under Shane Foley in the Elusive Pimpernel Race at Dundalk.
The 8/15 shot made all, and briefly looked vulnerable to I Will Excel as the riders got down to work over the final quarter mile.
However, inside the last in this seven furlong affair, the victorious Lope De Vega colt, pulled out what was required, to convincingly prevail by a length and a half.
"He came back last Wednesday. He ran well out there. He was drawn wide a few times and he finished third in a good Listed race," reported winning trainer Michael Halford.
"He was in such good form and when I saw this race we said we'd let him take his chance. He loves that surface and he has no problem dictating.
"He's progressing, and he'll improve through the year, and get a bit further. He enjoyed his winter in Dubai and it's possible that he could go for a Guineas trial if he got good ground." (AM & EM)
