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407/1 double for Slevin in Naas

Fayonagh grinds it out from the front in NaasFayonagh grinds it out from the front in Naas
© Photo Healy Racing

Jockey JJ Slevin bagged a race six and seven double as Fayonagh toughed it out from the front in the mares' bumper at Naas.

The double paid 407/1 as After Aspen was an 11/1 chance in the preceding race.

Fayonagh ran second to Trendy Present before picking up an early lead.

The five-year-old was still full of running approaching the three furlong pole but there were any number of challengers looming behind.

The pursuers didn't find a lot off the bridle, however, as Slevin got into the drive position with a quarter of a mile to travel. Good To Flow came with a run and almost got on terms a furlong and a half down.

Fayonagh refused to yield, though, and galloped on resolutely in the final furlong to increase the winning margin to two and three quarter lengths at the line.

She was returned a 33/1 outsider from Martello Park (12/1) who stayed on nicely for second on debut. Strike Is Back (12/1) came home third, a further three parts of a length away.

The 11/10 favourite, Ale Ambrosio didn't get competitive in 12th.

Handler Richie Rath said: “I didn’t see the end of it but she seemed to do it very well.

“She’ll be sold now I’d say. That’s what she was bought for - to be sold. The boys wanted to go point-to-pointing but I didn’t as I thought she was better than a point-to-pointer.

“She's more a hurdler. She’s very like Fair Ina and Solerina.

“I gave JJ the instruction to jump off wherever he was happy. I said she’ll come from behind or go from the front.

“He said he went a stride too slow because she’s a real galloper.

“She’s very like Solerina to gallop. I’m not saying she’s Solerina, probably a long way off it, but she’s off to a good start.”

This was Fayonagh's second career start having finished eighth in a 23-runner bumper at Cork in May.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.