Foden Strikes at Beverley!
Thu 14 Apr 2022
WINNER 27 OF 2022: FODEN, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Dane O'Neill: The 'Pat and Graham Roberts Golden Wedding Anniversary Handicap' over 7.5f at Beverley.
Having his first start for 174 days and since being gelded, this was a good seasonal opener for him. Settled into midfield, it looked as though the pace upfront would be hard to reel back in, but Dane knew more! At the 2 pole it looked an impossible task to catch the leader who had the rail, but our blue and orange silks caught the eye of the commentator as he picked them off one by one on the outer. Could he get there? The answer is YES, hitting the front to win by 1/2 a length.
"Foden's wearing them down." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/385108-pat-and-graham-roberts-golden-wedding-anniversary-handicap-4
See the official photograph gallery, here: https://www.hannahaliphotography.co.uk/r3-130422
Timeform rated it as a career best 97, saying: "Gelded since last seen 6 months ago, was making his handicap debut and showed improved form to resume winning ways, suited by the emphasis on stamina at this trip; mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway out wide over 2f out, stayed on to lead close home; should be suited by 1m+ and no surprise if he progresses further as his stamina is drawn out."
Syndicate manager Tim says: "We thought that he would need this run, but the way Richard's horses are running on the turf at the minute, it should come as no surprise that he took this race. He should give his owners some fun this season, it was great to see some of them on the podium collecting a rather eye catching trophy yesterday. Well done to them all and thank you to Dane for a great ride to get him there right at the line!"