Andrew Thornton & Footprint on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Pat Martin trained Footprint recorded his fourth career success and his third of 2012 as he took the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Handicap over six furlongs under Andrew Thornton.
The 5yo son of Footstepsinthesand won a Nursery over the course and distance in September of 2009 but then went on a losing run of twenty eight outings.
He ended that barren spell with a win at Dundalk in April and won again at Leopardstown last month.
Last time out he finished a well beaten tenth behind Pintura just last Saturday at Galway in the race which Battleroftheboyne was second.
That Michael Mulvany trained colt was sent off the 9/4 favourite this evening (drifted from 2/1) but he never looked like winning and finished last of the seven runners under hat-tricking seeking Conor Hoban.
The winner on the other hand was backed from 5/1 into 7/2 (high as 9/1 this morning) and was held up in rear for most of the race.
He was last two furlongs from home but when ridden he made good headway to lead inside the final furlong, staying on well close home to score by a length and three parts at the line. Jembatt for Michael Mulvany and Pat Smullen attempted to make all but he couldn't match the winner when headed and had to settle for second at 7/1 while recent Galway winner Fit The Cove finished just out of the placings back in third at 3/1.
Winning trainer Pat Martin said afterwards: "He got very upset in the stalls at Galway the last day. He normally goes in last but he went in second last there and then Bendzoldan gave trouble going in after him.
"It was a pity because it was a case of what might have been. He could have won a nice pot there but this is good compensation.
"He use to boil over before races but he is more relaxed now and Andrew gave him a cool ride."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
