Faranadooney (purple and orange, Leigh Roche) stays on well to beat Mad For Road (Fran Berry, rail)© Photo Healy Racing
Fran Berry was narrowly foiled in his bid for an opening race double at Dundalk as his mount Mad For Road was short-headed by the Leigh Roche-ridden Faranadooney in the Champions Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
Faranadooney was a big price at 20/1 in hindsight, when he seemed to boast place claims in advance of this two miler, whilst there was plenty of money about for previous course winner Mad For Road who ended up 4/1 joint favourite with Armed Guard (ultimately that one came home in ninth place).
The Shane Duffy trained Faranadooney was never far away, he led over a furlong out and clung on at the line from the strong finishing Mad For Road along the rail.
Duffy reasoned: "I'm delighted for the owner (Eugene Kavanagh) more than anything.
"This horse has been called a lot of names but really he had a terrible year last year with a lot of problems and it's taken a while to iron them out.
"He wears blinkers but he's genuine and although he's a seven-year-old he's very immature and acts like a two-year-old.
"Whatever he does on the flat and over hurdles is a bonus as he's really going to be a chaser." (AM & EM)
