Ahlan Bil Zain (right) and Ronan Whelan win the feature at Gowran Park© Photo Healy Racing
Michael Halford and Ronan Whelan combined for a double at Gowran Park as Ahlan Bil Zain took the featured Lengthen The Odds With BetVictor Handicap.
The Elusive City gelding was scoring on turf for the first time having previously won four times on the all-weather, and attracted some support on track from 7/1 into 11/2.
The five-year-old quickened up nicely between horses, and got on top in the closing stages to beat 2/1 favourite Fit For Function by a length. Ice Cold In Alex kept on well inside the final furlong to take third spot a further three quarters of a length back.
Halford said, “I thought he ran well in a Premier Handicap at the Curragh the last day and he’s slowly coming down the handicap. He’s probably not as good on grass as the all-weather but the race cut up nicely.
“He did it well but when you get four non-runners and a small field for good prize-money then you know you’re luck is in. He’ll go to the Curragh on Derby weekend for a seven-furlong handicap.” Zarzyni initiated the 44.5/1 double when providing Halford with his first two-year-old winner of the campaign in the opening maiden.
