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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Fools Glory brings home the money

Mon 9th May 2022, 17:28

Fools Glory, far side, fends off AdhuilFools Glory, far side, fends off Adhuil
© Photo Healy Racing

Fools Glory won a battle with Adhuil for the honours in the Boyle Handicap at Roscommon.

She was sighted towards the head of affairs in the early stages and ran freely before being allowed to stride on by Andrew Slattery.

The jockey was hard at work on her over a quarter of a mile out and the pair were soon tackled by Gregor Mendel

To Fools Glory's credit she kept finding for pressure and saw off that rival by the final furlong, however, Adhuil was next to take a crack. There was little between the pair in the closing stages but Fools Glory stuck to her task gamely by a short head at 14/1 for trainer Paul McEnery. She could have been backed at 80/1 in morning trading.

Runner-up Adhuil went off at 6/1 and was two lengths clear of The Dazzer (9/1).

The trainer's son and assistant Billy said: “Andy said she made him work for it there. She's probably still lacking a little bit of experience. I thought she'd run well but I didn't think we'd win.

“Her work all last year was very good. She used to work with another horse we had, that won a couple of races, called Mister Wilson and she kicked him out of the way to be honest.

“We were a bit disappointed that she didn't go closer in a maiden but it's all forgotten about now.

“She stays well and Andy said she loved the ground, I don't think a mile would be any problem to her.

“We'll have to see where we go from here, we are out of that grade now I'd imagine.

“I'm Paul's son and we work away together. We only train a few horses so any winner we're happy with, we are easy men to please!”

This was Fools Glory's handicap debut after three unplaced runs in maidens.

The Stewards interviewed L.F. Roche, rider of Adhuil, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, L.F. Roche accepted that he had exceeded the guidelines for frequency and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that L.F. Roche was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended L.F. Roche for one raceday.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
14/1
Tote €19.30 €5.70
2nd
shd
6/1
€2.50
3rd
2L
9/1
€4.20
4th
1.25L
28/1
bf
0.75L
11/4Fav
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.