Slieve Binnian and Ronan Whelan © Photo Healy Racing
Slieve Binnian took the step up in grade in his stride when recording back-to-back wins at Dundalk in the Gateway Hotel Race & Stay Handicap.
The Awtaad gelding had won a 50-85 event over course and distance three weeks ago and went to post a 5/1 shot against a decent field today.
Ronan Whelan tracked the leaders on his mount before asking him to take closer order passing the two pole.
The grey, trained by the Michael Halford and Tracey Collins partnership, got on top from Londoner in the last 150 yards and went on to post a length-and-a-quarter success.
11/8 favourite Martinstown couldn't make an impression on the front pair, a length-and-three-quarters back in third.
Halford said: "He's a three-year-old that is just improving. Tonight it was going to take a good step up for him, that was a different class of race than what he has been running in.
"You'd have to say that was a nice step forward for him, so really what we were trying to find out tonight was if he would have the class to go with those sort of horses.
"It worked out lovely for him. Ronan read it well, he told us those two horses would go on and he would follow them. He had a trouble-free run, he had plenty of time in the straight and plenty of room to pick up.
"He came home really well and kept finding. He's a horse with a lovely attitude and that's an ideal trip for him. He loves the surface and is very honest.
"I might consider taking him to Bahrain, we might send him out for the carnival. That mile and a quarter trip seems to suit him well.
"The grass is too soft for him at the moment."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
