A SMALL but high-quality four-runner field which contained three horses rated between 103 and 106 played host to the performance of the night as Bowerman outclassed his rivals under Ronan Whelan.

The Adrian McGuinness inmate, who bested the classy No Needs Never here three weeks previously, coped well with the step-up to an extended 10 furlongs.

In the colours of the trainer’s stalwart owners, the Total Recall Racing Club, Bowerman (4/6) was travelling supremely well entering the last couple of furlongs and he asserted in style to score by three-and-three-quarter lengths from Princess Yaiza who was running for the first time since the 2018 Breeders’ Cup.

“He’s an absolute dream for a jockey to ride and is very game. He hit the line good the last day so I was more confident than hopeful that he’d stay and he’s done it well,” said Whelan.

Siobhan Rutledge saw her claim reduced from 10lbs to seven after she landed the first division of the 45-65 rated six-furlong handicap on the Rockview Racing Club-owned Bellick (7/1). John McConnell’s four-time winner kept on tenaciously over the last furlong to defeat the 22/1 chance French (whose rider Nathan Crosse picked up a one-day whip ban) by a neck.

Lightning Charlie, who had dropped 22lbs in the weights over the course of the last year, made a winning debut for Johnny Feane in the second division of the six-furlong handicap. On his first start in Ireland, the Dundalk Bay Seafoods Ltd-owned and Robbie Colgan-ridden 7/2 favourite accounted for Comhghairdeas by half-a-length.

Stewards inquiry

A highly industrious January at Dundalk for both Joseph O’Brien and Declan McDonogh ended with the pair combining for a double although they needed the intervention of the stewards to complete their brace. The odds-on Mr Mooj, in the colours of Lloyd Williams, finished a half-length second in the mile three-year-old maiden but always looked likely to get the race at the expense of the first past the post, Kokura.

The latter started to veer badly left after striking the front a quarter of a mile out and in the process he tightened up and hampered Mr Mooj for a prolonged period. The favourite found himself very tight for room against the far rail over the course of the last furlong with Declan McDonogh unable to use his stick late on. Kokura’s jockey Shane Kelly kept his whip in his right hand in the closing stages and there was a certain inevitability about the outcome of the enquiry which handed out a four-day careless riding ban to Kelly.

The first leg of the O’Brien and McDonogh double was much less eventful as Annie B (5/4) won the older fillies’ maiden over a mile. The Anna Kehoe-owned four-year-old daughter of Dark Angel, who was placed on her first two outings prior to Christmas, led with over a furlong to run and reached the line with a length-and-three-quarters to spare over the 65-rated Plum Perfect.

O’Connor back among the winners

DONAGH O’Connor rode his first winner since fracturing his vertebrae in a horrorific fall at Cork in August as the Johnny Levins-trained Nordic Passage picked up the mile handicap.

O’Connor was out of action for four months but it was like he was never away as he produced a ride of style and panache in bringing his mount from third last turning for home to record a smooth length-and-a-quarter success over Miracles In May. The 10/1 chance had dropped 15lbs in the weights since coming to Ireland but he looks a handicapper to stay on the right side of.

“That was an absolutely brilliant ride. Donagh didn’t even have to use his whip. I’m delighted for him. When he got that fall those were scary times but we’ve put all that behind us,” stated Levins. “Gaelic Bloodstock – Philip Burns and David Spratt – have turned my career around buying nice stock. They’ve done wonders for me.”

Gamble landed

Fresh from sending out his first winner at Dundalk seven days previously, Carlow-based trainer Barry Fitzgerald struck again as Saga Bolton pulled off a gamble in the extended 10-furlong claimer. On his first start for the trainer, Saga Bolton was running just six days after an unplaced effort in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and he was backed into 9/4 favouritism having been as big as 12/1 earlier in the day.

Rory Cleary’s mount reached the line a one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Secret Wizard to take his career tally to four wins from 13 starts. The Nicola Griffin-owned eight-year-old was running for only the sixth time since he recorded his most recent success in a two-mile handicap at this track four years ago. Saga Bolton was claimed for €5,000 by Padraig Hassett to join Brian McMahon. The second-placed Secret Wizard will join Conor O’Dwyer after the Trump Syndicate claimed him for €10,000, and Noel Kelly will take charge of the third Sayesse, who cost €12,000.

May Remain has been a great advertisement for the talents of trainer Pat Murphy at Dundalk this winter and he notched up his third win from his last five starts in the five-furlong handicap. Gavin Ryan was on board the 8/1 chance and May Remain, who is owned by the trainer’s wife Diane, held the staying-on Nigg Bay by half-a-length. May Remain changed hands for 19,000 at Goffs on Wednesday.