DOCTOR FOLEY made a stylish winning debut over fences at Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday despite spending more time on the road than ideal over the previous 24 hours.
With FORWARD PLAN running another sound race by collecting almost £12,000 for finishing second in a Class 2 novice handicap Chase at Ayr it was another rewarding day for the yard.
Doctor Foley was one of four horses we took on a fruitless journey to Fontwell on Friday before we withdrew them with the ground quicker than forecast.
He took another lengthy long trip to Bangor in his stride on Saturday morning and looks to have a decent future after landing a novice handicap Chase with something to spare.
I was really pleased with the way he travelled and jumped off a mark of 78. Rex Dingle soon had him in a nice position, and though he was a bit fresh and keen he showed a good attitude in sealing the victory and was well on top at the end.
Doctor Foley suffered a minor injury in the first half of the season and it was a bit of a rush to give him the run over hurdles he needed to get a mark at Fontwell early in March.
He had come on nicely at home since then and having shown promise in an Irish Point-to-Point as a youngster we were always hopeful he would make a chaser.
As he seems to enjoy spring ground I will probably keep him ticking over for a couple of weeks and look for a nice handicap for him in May.
But it would not be the end of the world if he didn’t run again before his summer holiday at grass.
Great result