Al Fahidi (Fran Berry) beating Athassel© Photo Healy Racing
Al Fahidi finally got off the mark when taking the seven-furlong Charles Hurst Premium Handicap at Down Royal.
The daughter of Singspiel filled the runner-up spot when favourite on the beach at Laytown last week but went one better here under a confident Fran Berry.
Well-backed again here from 6/1 into 4/1 favourite, she didn’t break as well as hoped but the Andy Oliver-trained filly still arrived full of running two furlongs out.
She was driven out inside the final furlong to hold the late surge of Athassel who didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages, by three quarters of a length. Snap Click was over two lengths further away in third, although his rider Gearoid Brouder was given a two-day ban for careless riding into an incident about a furlong out where Elusive Gent met interference.
Oliver said, "It was a terrific ride from Fran. The initial idea was to jump and run. Plan B I left to him. She has been a frustrating filly to train and get her head in front."
On Panama Hat he said: "He goes for the mile and a half handicap on Sunday. He got a 12lb hike from the other day so he has a lot of weight. He's in good form and is a pleasure to train and have.
"We'll take it one step at a time with him. There are other engagements to come."
(MG & AM)
