18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Longest race of the season goes to Halford's strong stayer

Anyonecanhaveitall and Mikey Sheehy (red) win from Turnpike Trip (centre)
Anyonecanhaveitall and Mikey Sheehy (red) win from Turnpike Trip (centre)
© Photo Healy Racing

The longest race of the flat season in Ireland, the Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch, went to confirmed stayer Anyonecanhaveitall (5/1).

A three-time winner when trained in Briain by Mark Johnston, including twice over two miles, he tracked the leaders before being ridden to challenge over a furlong out. The Nathaniel gelding led a hundred yards out and stayed on well to account for Turnpike Trip by three quarters of a length.

It was a first win since joining Michael Halford’s stable last year for Garrett Freyne’s 5-year-old.

This victory moved 5lb claimer Mikey Sheehy onto the 20 winner mark for the campaign.

Sheehy said: "I probably jumped a little bit too well, I rode him probably a bit forward than I would have liked but I travelled sweetly everywhere.

"I didn't think we went overly fast so I didn't want to get stuck down the rail when I was in such a good rhythm. In fairness, once I got him down the outside he came alight. He did it well to be fair.

"He stays every yard of that trip so I am sure there is a big pot somewhere along the line. if he could sneak into one of those bigger handicaps off a light weight, it would be a nice ride to get.

"He (Mick Halford) kind of left it more to me than anything. I rode him one day in a big handicap at Limerick and finished fourth on him on a trip that was probably a little bit sharp for him. Back up in trip today and he showed what he can do."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.