CHAMPION apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle rode a double in the final two races on last week’s Friday evening Dundalk card aboard Je T’ai Porte for Gavin Cromwell and Golden Sandbanks for Paul Flynn.
The Donegal native made all on Je T’ai Porte in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap over the extended mile and a quarter. The 9/4 favourite was strong in the final furlong as she put her rivals away by two and a quarter lengths for the Poetry In Motion Syndicate.
Cromwell said: “She relaxed and, I suppose getting to make the running, she switched off. She went through the line well and maybe something similar again, it depends what the handicapper does.”
Golden Sandbanks was backed from 10/1 to 6/1 for the Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Handicap and the money proved inspired on his return to the flat.
The five-year-old gelding made his move in the final quarter of a mile and progressed to lead a furlong and a half down. He readily scooted in by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths for owners Aidan Gallagher, Fadhbarbith Unlimited Company and David G Walsh.
Trainer Paul Flynn said: “We just said we would give him one spin up here as the new owners don’t have him that long. We said we would see how he would go on it.
“I think the surface is riding a bit slower now, he didn’t quite enjoy it last year. I think he is a different horse mentally now and enjoying life a bit more.”
Royal rewards the market whispers
BARRY Fitzgerald’s newcomer Whispering Royal brought up plenty of bets when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden over a mile.
Luke McAteer drove the 11/2 shot to the front inside the final furlong and the pair fended off 3/1 joint favourite Sea Of Cortez by a neck.
Fitzgerald said: “The owner (Mrs C Taylor) was pushing to go to Naas and I said to hold off and go to here as he wants better ground.
“His work is good at home; he was working with three-year-olds and he’s only a two-year-old - they were good three-year-olds. I’d love to keep everything, but there is a price for everything and we try and keep things rolling.”
Newcomer
Lecale’s Approach was another juvenile newcomer to make a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden and she could also be on the market.
The daughter of New Approach disputed the lead at the two-furlong pole for Wayne Lordan and came home best in the final furlong and a half to score by a length at 12/1.
“She’s a smart filly and we always thought something about her. She has a lovely temperament and she saves it all for the track, she is very laid-back at home,” trainer Natalia Lupini said.
“If they win maidens, and there is a nice offer for them, they will be on the market. She is owned locally (Mrs Mary Turley) and is a nice filly.”
First for Downey at Dundalk
THE first reserve Company Keeping (5/1) got a run in the William Hill Bet Boost Handicap and made the most of it.
He was slowly into stride and had to race in rear from stall 17 in this six-furlong assignment. The four-year-old gelding made good progress in the final quarter of a mile and was produced by Colin Keane to lead in the final furlong. The pair kept on well to hit the line with a half a length in hand.
Trainer Pat Downey said: “That’s my first winner in Dundalk, so I am very happy to have one up here.
“The lads that own him - Conor McNamara and Paddy O’Brien - are lads that ride for me, so it is great to have them in on the Lane Syndicate.”
Marsa confirmed her fondness for Polytrack when landing the William Hill Racing Radio Rated Race over seven furlongs with Shane Crosse in the plate.
She has now won on her last four visits to Dundalk and prevailed by a neck at 8/1 for owners Mrs Marita Rogers and Mrs Sabena Power.
Trainer Eddie Lynam said: “I thought the draw (17) was a killer, but he’s a very good rider. Chris Hayes usually rides her, but he is saving himself (his wedding the following day).
“She travelled very well and seems to grow a leg here. There’s a race over seven furlongs here just before Christmas, but we’ll see.”
Jaafel (7/2) made the breakthrough under Daniel King in the first division of the William Hill Apprentice Handicap. Denis Hogan’s charge came with a late thrust to get up a neck over the mile for the Playground Syndicate.
King said: “It’s great (to get him off the mark) and I suppose he had deserved that. He hit the line well there and I had a nice bit (of pace) to aim at in the straight and he likes that, he likes passing a few horses and coming through nice, tight gaps.”
Advantage
Pat Murphy’s Kudbegood (12/1) took advantage of a sliding handicap mark in the second split of the William Hill Apprentice Handicap.
Jack Kearney came in for a winning spare ride due to Jake Coen feeling unwell.
The seven-year-old gelding collared the 2/1 favourite Miss Abby Jools inside the final furlong and stayed on well to post a victory by three-quarters of a length for Mrs Veronica Maxwell.
Murphy said: “We were worried about him during the summer, we couldn’t get a tune out of him. We said we would just wait for Dundalk and see would it rejuvenate him. We’ll give him a little bit of a campaign (in Dundalk) now, we’ll see how it goes.”