Sense Of Victory and Colin Keane (nearside) gets there to deny Avizare © Photo Healy Racing
We looked set to have our second Ballylinch Stud victory in half-an-hour, when Avizare seemed 'home for all money' in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Roscommon. However, anyone thinking that way didn't bargain for the toughness of the eventual victor, Sense Of Victory (2/1 favourite).
Colin Keane got a real tune late out of the Johnny Murtagh-trained Sense Of Victory, and at the notorious finishing angle at this venue, it looked like it would take the judge to split Avizare and Sense Of Victory.
Not a bit of it though, a neck being the verdict in favour of Sense Of Victory.
"That was great. She had the form in the book and likes soft ground. Colin said she stays well," said Murtagh.
"We'll see if we can find a handicap for her. I was hoping she had got there rather than confident.
"I hope next year she might be capable of getting some black-type. She's a big honest filly and does her best, so maybe in time she can reach that level.
"She's a strong stayer and is a half-sister to Cesarewitch winner Never Can Tell."
(GC & EM)
