Hamley comes home in front under Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
Peter Fahey recorded his seventh winner in the last fifteen days, as his Hamley took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
Previously trained by Jessica Harrington, the four-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock was sold for E4,500 at Goffs last November.
Fifth on her last two starts, she was available at 8/1 last night, but came in for plenty of market support, opening on-course at just 2/1 before going off an 11/4 chance.
Having raced mainly in fifth, she was pushed along on the approach to the straight, and came with her challenge on the outer from the two furlong pole.
She was ridden in second with a furlong left to go, and got to the front in the final 50 yards, going on to score by half a length. The Tulip who was sent off the 6/4 favourite, hit the front two furlongs out, but she couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Eddie Lynam.
Fahey recently returned from holidays in Portugal, but wasn't present today as he is attending a wedding.
His winners in recent weeks have come under both disciplines, with two successful over fences, two over hurdles, two on the level, and one in a bumper.
The winner is owned by the twenty member Stable Friends Syndicate, who are from Portarlington and Portlaoise.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into an incident shortly after the start involving The Tulip, ridden by P.J. Smullen, End Play ridden by L.F. Roche, Ana Lichious ridden by D.M. Simmonson, Hamley (FR), ridden by W.J. Lee, Maison Bleu (GB), ridden by C.D. Hayes, and Tamara Love ridden by K.J. Leonard. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the video evidence was inconclusive and took no further action.
P.J. Smullen, rider of The Tulip, trained by Edward Lynam, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost a shoe in running.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
