Halford steers Phildante in for Doyle It has been some 24 hours for recently-turned conditional Joshua Halford as he followed up yesterday's success in Wexford with another winner through Phildante (10/3jf) in Division 2 of the Cottage Autism Network Handicap Hurdle over three miles. The jockey conjured a sweeping run from his mount on the approach to the home straight and Phildante galloped into the lead before two out. Halford soon got busy in the saddle as Georgia Celena (11/1) wasn't done with on his inner. She was still bang there in the closing stages, however, Phildante fended her off by a neck. Cruisin Susan finished well for third at 14/1, some two and three quarter lengths away. Eoin Doyle said: "Finally she has won, although she was running a good race when she fell at Limerick the last day. The form of that race has stood up well as the runner-up Set The Tone won the earlier division of today's race. "She had a lovely weight and Josh claimed 7lb off her, although was in front a little early. In fairness to her, she stayed going and this is Josh's first winner for me and is good value for his claim. "She had finished second in this race last year and likes it around here. "It is great to get Dom's (Delaney, owner) first winner and he is a north Kilkenny man who bought this mare last year." Halford was also successful on Ballybrittas in Wexford yesterday for Philip Rothwell. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
