Count Salazar wins thriller at Tramore

Count Salazar over the last in front of Torremuelle
(Healy Racing Photos)

There was drama on the approach to two out as 4/5 favourite Ponmeworld slipped up on the bend when racing third. This left Count Salazar to try and outlast Torremuelle.

A slow jump at the last by the leader Count Salazar allowed Torremuelle and Ben Dalton in and it looked like he had prevailed in a driving finish to the line but Count Salazar and Shay Barry on the inside just held on at 7/1, having been weak in the betting ring from 5/1.

“I thought he was beaten. He had great point-to-point form, but he lost his way a bit. His confidence will be back after that," Count Salazar's trainer Eoin Doyle said.

“He’ll go for another handicap chase now. He loves that ground.”

Torremuelle was second at 16/1 and the pair were well clear of Urban Gale in third also at 16/1.

Ponmeworld was found to be ok, but winded after the race.

Ben Dalton was given a three-day ban for using his whip above the shoulder on runner-up Torremuelle.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)