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

Gary Carson

In-form Hayes Excels in Cork opener

Sat 31st Mar 2018, 14:27

Iiex Excelsa and Chris Hayes (left) beat LuzumIiex Excelsa and Chris Hayes (left) beat Luzum
© Photo Healy Racing

Iiex Excelsa battled back gamely to gain the day in the opening seven furlong maiden at Cork this afternoon.

The Fozzy Stack-trained filly was backed from 13/2 this morning and eventually went to post a 3/1 shot having traded as short as 13/8.

Chris Hayes bounced out and made the running on the Excelebration filly and she was tackled by Luzum a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The pair had a terrific duel inside the final furlong with the Dermot Weld-trained Luzum gaining a narrow lead.

Iiex Excelsa stuck to her task well, however, and gained a narrow advantage again in the closing stages to post a half-length win.

The winner had finished last of ten on her sole start at the Curragh last season and Hayes said:-

"She is a nice filly and we liked her and fancied her on debut at the Curragh but she never really turned up on the day.

“There was no real excuse and Fozzy put it down to stage-fright. She has been working very well recently.

"That wasn't ideal as I had to make it on her and she was loafing around. It wasn't until the other horse went by me that she started racing and her attitude was brilliant.

"It's very testing ground and she handled it well." Scream easy to back in the morning (9/4 to 7/2), was the one for money on track and went to post the 7/4 favourite. She could only finish fifth.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.