Fleetfoot (left) and Rory Cleary© Photo Healy Racing
The market suggested Fleetfoot would run a big race and so it proved as the son of Teofilo got up close home to land the Punchestown New Track On Track Race.
Offers of 4/1 overnight were soon snapped up and he went off a well-backed 5/4 favourite but supporters would have been worried as Rory Cleary was hard at work early in the straight.
However, the Jim Bolger-trained colt dug deep inside the final furlong, getting up in the closing stages to beat Migdam by a length with the front-running Oriole a head further back in third.
Bolger’s travelling head lad Ger Flynn said, “Rory said he hit a bit of a flat spot just before they turned in on that ground. He was comfortable and the next minute he got a bit lazy with him. The ground is a bit holding, dead ground, and it wouldn’t be ideal.
“We’ve always liked the horse and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards. He’s still learning and that’s just his third run this year.
“Last year he was pitched into some really good maidens and was just a bit immature. He was showing us all the ability at home.
“Two furlongs out you were probably having a panic attack but I just love his attitude the way he finished out the race.”
