Dalvey (Shane Foley) beating Bradesco© Photo Healy Racing
Dalvey completed a quick 83/1 double for Shane Foley and James McAuley in the final two races at Dundalk when upsetting the odds in the Extra Places Everyday At BetVictor Handicap.
The Dansili gelding started this year off a rating of 98 but had dropped down to a mark of 76 here and was stepping up to two miles for the first time on the Flat. Bradesco made most of the running but the 6/5 favourite was strongly pressed by Dalvey well over a furlong out.
Foley’s mount found plenty inside the final furlong and stretched right away to score at the rewarding odds of 20/1.
The favourite was two-and-three-quarter lengths away in second with Bold Approach a further half-length back in third.
McAuley said, “Denis Hogan had this fella as a three-year-old and he was convinced he'd win a Triumph Hurdle. They thought that much of him there that they thought he might actually be a Lockinge horse as a four-year-old.
“He ran at Listowel and got a horrendous dose of pneumonia after it. He lost condition, he used to work alright at home but couldn't finish anything out.
“We were actually happy enough with his last run, he stayed at it and that was the first time he actually stayed going.
“Derek O'Connor rode him twice and said 'don't give up on him' as he was giving him a proper feel.
“He said once he gets a trip and things fall right with him it's just a confidence issue, once he gets his confidence he'll go and do a job somewhere. It's brilliant that it happened tonight.”
When asked if he could try hurdling again he added, “I don't think we'll rush it, maybe when he gets his confidence back.
“For a long time we didn't think he'd get back racing, that was the first step and then getting him being competitive. To see him doing that is brilliant because he was really sick.”
Foley and McAuley also teamed up to take the preceding Crowne Plaza Hotel Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap with 3/1 favourite Sister Lola
