WILLIAM Delahunty saddled his first racecourse winner since October 2013 when Voice Of Reason won the Happy Halloween Handicap by three-quarters of a length under Seamie Heffernan, who brought up a double on the card.

Heffernan settled the 8/1 chance behind the leader Desert Friend and the pair made a beeline for the stands’ side in the straight and took over a couple of furlongs from home.

The jockey soon got busy in the saddle and his mount responded to see off 7/2 favourite Lady Kai for owner Michael John Delahunty.

Trainer Delahunty said: “I haven’t had too many runners, in fairness! My son Michael got him in a claiming hurdle in Clonmel during the summer. We bought him as a hurdler and we had him at home a few days and we said this isn’t a hurdler, this is a flat horse.

“We only took out the flat licence since we got this horse. We are bitten by the bug now on the flat! We’ll keep him going.”

Better next year

Heffernan also teamed up with Josh Halley for a winner with Whatchadoin (2/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden over six furlongs.

The Starman colt raced prominently and was sent for home a furlong and a half out. He was far from hard pressed in scoring by a length and a quarter in the colours of Carly Halley.

Josh Halley said: “We bought him at the breeze ups and he’s a big, raw horse and I think he will be better next year.

“He’s been very consistent this year and he has run in very good races. The listed race I ran him too soon. It was always the plan, it just came up too soon for him. A big, raw horse like himself, just not enough recovery time for him.”

SHANE Foley was another jockey at the double on the Polytrack and began his winning run aboard Anushka (6/1) in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Fillies Maiden.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge disputed the lead a furlong down and soon led. The daughter of Invincible Spirit was strong in the closing stages as she saw it out by three-quarters of a length for Dr S.P. Fitzgerald.

Foley said: “We didn’t go overly fast, the fractions were slow, and we dashed up the straight. I ended up going with the lads and she has completely parked when I got to the front. She has won with plenty in hand.”

Progressing

Iron Lily progressed from a runner-up spot on debut at the Curragh to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over seven furlongs for Jessica Harrington.

He was nicely backed down to 9/4 and was always to the fore under Foley. They regained the lead with a furlong and a half to travel and stayed on well in the final furlong to sweep home by a length and a quarter for owner Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum.

The jockey said: “We have always liked him, we liked him before he went to the Curragh and he ran well and that was on heavy ground. He handled that well. Little bit cautious of the surface today, but he moved like a bird on it.”

Revs up

Daler tasted success at the 10th time of asking in Division 1 of the Halloween Mid-Term Racing At Dundalk Handicap for three-year-olds plus.

Once the gap came for Gary Carroll, he took full advantage and drove his mount into the head of affairs a furlong out. The 5/2 favourite opened up by four lengths in the closing stages for owner David Spratt and Sean Jones.

Ger Lyons said: “What he has been doing is dropping out of the stalls, he’s bouncing but dropping out, and then closing. Gary just kept the revs up on him and didn’t let that happen.”

FLEETFOOTSOLDIER brought off a gamble in the Dundalk Stadium Optional Claiming Race. From as big as 16/1 in the morning, he opened at 13/2 and was punted down to 7/2 on the off.

Ben Coen’s mount closed in fourth a furlong down and he propelled the five-year-old gelding in by a neck close home for trainer Natalia Lupini and owner Cathal McGuckin.

Assistant trainer Craig Bryson said: “He probably likes the surface up here, probably the soft ground in Navan the last time over a mile and two (furlongs) was too much for him.”

Fleetfootsoldier and Rock Basher were claimed by James McAuley to be trained by Denis Hogan, while Secret Rock was claimed by Tadhg O’Sullivan to be trained by Cian Collins.

Powerful finish

Albion Power (25/1) came out on the right side of a thrilling finish to Division 2 of the Halloween Mid-Term Racing At Dundalk Handicap for trainer Keith Clarke, and owners Karl Davis and Phoenix Bloodstock Syndicate. Auburn Avenue really served it up to Albion Power in the closing stages, but the four-year-old held on by a nose to double his career total.

Jockey Luke McAteer said: “I kept the revs up and I battled off the horse on my inside and the one that came late probably just blindsided him. He stuck at it and he was in front where it mattered.”

Favourite backers drew a dividend when Nikki Swango ran out a decisive winner of the seven-furlong Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Ado McGuinness’ four-year-old filly travelled well to lead inside the final quarter of a mile and moved clear by the furlong pole.

Adam Caffrey steered her in by a ready three and a half lengths at 9/4 for Claire Wylie, Mark McGuckin and Mark Devlin.

“I suppose the other day over six (furlongs) she ran a little bit gassy on her first run back in a while,” Caffrey said. “She probably bumped into one (runner-up to Sovereign Banter) that was just well down the weights.”