DYLAN Browne McMonagle partnered a 224/1 treble on the final day of the flat turf season highlighted by the victory of seven-year-old Dawn Rising in the featured Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes.

Lily Hart had her four rivals stretched when quickening off the home turn in this two-mile Group 3 event but Dawn Rising, trained by Joseph O’Brien for J.P. McManus, gradually made inroads and the well backed 6/4 chance pegged back the front-runner in the closing stages to score by half a length.

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said, “He was good and tough. He ran a good race in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and this race suited him.

“The handicapper may have caught up with him a bit, but he’ll be competitive in those Group 3s. He doesn’t mind the ground whether it is good or heavy and hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm.”

Browne McMonagle also teamed up with the Carriganog trainer to take the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden with newcomer Kibris.

Double green

The Lope De Vega colt, who carries the ‘double green’ colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, struck the front a furlong out before holding off Game Point by half a length.

“He’s a gorgeous big horse. The race set up lovely for him as I got a nice lead, and he picked up a lot quicker than I thought he would. He’s a good tough horse and one to look forward to. He has plenty of gears and will have no problem stepping up to a mile and a quarter next year,” said the Donegal native of the 5/1 winner, who was available at double those odds in the morning.

The other leg of the treble came in the Curragh On Course Bookmakers (who also sponsored free admission on the day) Premier Handicap aboard Rhythm King, who was following up a win at Galway earlier in the week.

The 14/1 shot was prominent throughout and got the better of Gleneagle Bay in the closing stages to score by half a length.

“I didn’t think today was going to be a day for him as he always wins going around a bend. He had a hard enough race in Galway but he’s tough and had a light weight on his back today,” said trainer Mark Fahey.

“It’s great for Claire and Andrew (Lennon, owner/breeders) to win a Premier Handicap here and he’s one to look forward to for next year.”

THE Finale Stakes attracted 17 runners and the mile and a half listed event went for export as Hamish, trained by William Haggas and sporting the colours of his recently deceased father Brian, took command from over a furlong out to beat Galileo Dame by a comfortable five lengths.

“I think that’s what we wanted to see and what we know he can do,” said winning rider Richard Kingscote of the 10/11 favourite.

“Mr Haggas asked me to be handy and he got his head down and did everything right. That (yielding) ground is what they look for with him. He’s mixed it with some very good stayers and has been a very good servant. The Haggas family are very fond of him.”

Great servant

Big Gossey (5/6) certainly falls into the ‘good servant’ category and recorded a seventh course win for the Allegro Syndicate when also justifying odds-on favouritism in the Cavalor Equine Nutrition Race, making all under Robert Whearty and keeping on well inside the final furlong to beat Wexford Native by a length and a quarter.

“That race is perfect for him as he gets in pretty well. Robert said he was getting a bit lonely in front but picked up again when the other horses were coming at him,” said trainer Charles O’Brien.

“Gary (O’Brien), who led him up, does 90% of the work. He keeps him sweet and just rides him out a few days a week. Racing keeps him happy.”

ENGINES On provided Wicklow trainer Prunella Dobbs with a welcome change of fortune when recording a 33/1 shock in the seven-furlong handicap.

The Peter Stone-owned gelding was racing from 11lb out of the handicap proper but Rory Mulligan’s 7lb claim proved vital as he gamely held off the challenge of All Lies Ahead by a length and a quarter.

“I thought he wanted further, but I put him in this as it was the last day and the ground was perfect for him. We had in the back of our minds that we might go hurdling next spring and we might mix it,” said Dobbs after saddling her first winner for 12 months.

Two Stars, 7/1 overnight and sent off the 4/1 favourite, overcame a layoff of nearly seven months when travelling well to lead at the furlong pole and quickened up nicely under Joey Sheridan to beat Never Shout Never by a length and a half in the five-furlong Guinness Handicap.

Return of the Star

“He got a bit of a setback after he ran here the last day so that’s why he was missing for a while,” explained trainer Fozzy Stack of the Anne Gaffney-owned gelding.

“He does need a bit of a cut in the ground and might be one for some of those better handicaps next year.”

Punters also enjoyed a good result in the concluding mile and a half Rockshore Maiden where smart hurdler Jetara led inside the final furlong to beat Royal Entry by a length and a half.

“She did it nicely and Shane said she was always in control,” said Jessica Harrington who trains the 2/1 favourite for owner/breeder Gerry McGrath.

“We are going to run her in the Lismullen Hurdle and then either the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot or Leopardstown at Christmas. We can look at the flat with her next year, but I wouldn’t be running her on good to firm ground.”