Delahunty in dreamland as Reason lands finale The concluding amateur handicap at Dundalk produced a cracking finish with Voice Of Reason digging deep to give owner/jockey Michael Delahunty his first winner, on only his second ride. Delahunty was to the fore throughout on the 14/1 shot, trained by his father William, who had won over course and distance four weeks ago. He kicked for home entering the straight in the mile-and-a-half contest but was joined over a furlong from home by Tatateo. The pair had a good tussle in the closing stages with Voice Of Reason just sticking his neck out at the right time to secure a head victory at the line. The winning rider said: "It is like a dream, I think I have ridden that plenty of times at home in the bed! "Last night, the race was going over and over and over again in my head. I was after watching the last race enough times and it was all I could think of. When I was out there on the track, it felt like I was back in the dream! "I'm riding the horse every day. Before I go into college, I'm getting my father up out of bed early in the morning - I'm keeping him honest! "We walked the track beforehand and it all became clear to me what I had to do. I said he doesn't mind going from the front. It looked like there was a lot of pace in the race, but I said 'if I end up there, I'll just have to go on with him'. "Seamie Heffernan was after telling me the last day that he can be a bit lazy out the back straight. He didn't have to tell me that, I was after watching the race so many times! "I said that's where I will stretch them out (back straight) because he has an incredible engine. "He was a bit on his toes going down to the start. Once I was in the stalls and jumped out, I said 'we are going to do something here'. He just gave me the feel. "It is unbelievable to be getting up every morning. To get the win last month was one thing, but to get up on him myself on only my second ride is incomprehensible. "John (Gleeson, Tatateo) came up my inside there and I probably wouldn't be the best in terms of race fitness. I had to find something deep inside me. I call him Rocky at home and all I was shouting was 'go on Rocky, go on!' I'd like to think that got me over the line. "I said to John, 'did you get me?' and he said 'you won'. I don't know where I go from here, but it is a good start anyway! "It is an incredible feeling when the work pays off. I'd just like to thank everybody who has got me here. When I was in sixth year at school, I went into Eoin Griffin's and I didn't have much riding experience. He brought me on and I think if I didn't get that start that time, I wouldn't be here now." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
