Robbie Downey and Atticus Finch© Photo Healy Racing
For a sixteen-year-old having his third ride, Robbie Downey (from Kilcock in County Kildare) gave Atticus Finch a good drive to bring up a double for Eddie Lynam (following on from Khyber Pass in the first) in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk.
Equipped with a tongue-strap for only the second time in his thirteen races, Atticus Finch raced near the speed throughout under Downey, who asked for more to lead from two furlongs out.
He did the favourite, Shake The Bucket no favours when soon edging left, but he found plenty inside the last to beat Golden Shoe by a length and a quarter. He then survived a steward's enquiry. Downey received a severe caution for careless riding.
Lynam explained: "He was very disappointing the last day. We did two things different – we put a tongue-tie on him and he was going very well for Robbie at home so we let him have a go." (AM & EM)
