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Foley at double on Heliogabalus

Heliogabalus, left, winning by a neckHeliogabalus, left, winning by a neck
© Healy Racing Photos

Heliogabalus (14/1) got the better of Zaraahmando by a neck in the Bulmers Live Handicap over a mile in Leopardstown to bring up a double for Shane Foley. Bay Of Dreams attempted to kick for home a furlong and a half out and increased her lead racing to the final furlong.

Zaraahmando and Heliogabalus weren't done with, though, and cut into the deficit racing past that marker.

They both charged past Bay Of Dreams in the closing stages with Heliogabalus just in front of his nearest pursuer. He kept it that way as he took the honours over the nicely backed 11/2 runner-up. Bay Of Dreams dropped three lengths away in third at 20/1 and was just under two lengths in front of Bucaneer's Spirit at 8/1.

Assistant trainer Sean Byrne Jr said: "First run back - we thought we had him fit enough, but you don't know until you go to the track.

"He seems to be getting stronger the whole time. He is a big horse.

"He deadheaded in Galway last year, so it was great to get the actual win.

"The plan is to go back (to Galway). We are all aiming towards Galway anyway, he seems to like it around there.

"He liked that ground. Dusty (Foley) said it went smooth for him. It couldn't have gone any better to tell you the truth."

Foley also scored on Apollo's Comet for Jessica Harrington.

Additional reporting by John O'Riordan

1st
14/1
Tote €15.00 €3.10
2nd
nk
11/2
€1.90
3rd
3L
20/1
€4.20
4th
1.75L
8/1
€1.40
bf
1L
9/2Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.