WHATHARM cemented his profile as a progressive course specialist by making it five wins from six visits to the polytrack in the featured Crowne Plaza Hotel Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards Handicap.
Trained by Pat Flynn for Brendan and Bridie Cooney, the Canford Cliffs gelding won twice here near the end of last year and has returned in tremendous form this winter season.
The five-year-old likes to be held up for a late challenge and regular partner Conor Hoban again executed the plan on the 15/2 chance who quickened clear in the final 100 yards to beat Faakhirah by two and a quarter lengths.
“That was some performance stepping up in grade and it probably was his most impressive win yet. He loves being ridden that way and he’s a horse to look forward to for next year,” said Hoban.
Whatharm’s handicap mark has risen from 64 to a new high in the 90s after this victory, and Hoban added: “We joked after his last win that it would be good to get his owners and Pat to Dubai, and it might not be a joke this time next year if he keeps improving.”
Speedy Carraige
Flynn wasn’t the only Carrick-on-Suir trainer on the mark as Queens Carriage followed up her maiden win here last month with an impressive victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race for trainer Kevin Coleman.
Former jockey Coleman is probably best remembered for partnering Sir Frederick to land the Galway Plate in 2007, and he has a speedy sort on his hands as the daughter of Mehmas stretched clear from over a furlong out to score by three and a quarter lengths under Luke McAteer.
“On ratings we were wrong so I used the claimer and it turns out we didn’t need to. That’s her ninth run and I was going to give her a break after the last day but she was in such good form we kept her going.
“She’s hardy out and a pleasure to train with a very good temperament,” said Coleman of the 100/30 winner before adding:
“I don’t train too many but she’s the fastest thing that I have ever sat on. She was fourth in two listed races and some blacktype will be the aim next year but she needs fast ground.”
Debut win
Morning Approach, 20/1 the previous evening and sent of at 8/1, scored on debut in the other juvenile race on the card – the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden – leading close home under Billy Lee to beat Brosna Empress by half a length.
Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: “She’s a lovely big filly, very honest and never had any complications. She’s owned by a lovely syndicate of lads that have been with me for a good few years.
“Sadly the man who picked her out, Frank McGarry, passed away this year and his son Eddie is involved.
“She is going to be a lovely filly on grass next year. She showed a good attitude in the finish and really stuck her head out.”
O’Brien takes leading trainer award
JOSEPH O’Brien was the clear winner of the Crowne Plaza Leading Trainer Award at the track (Declan McDonogh took the jockeys’ prize), and Carriganog Stables finished up the year here with 31 winners after Bluebeard’s Castle (11/2) landed the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
Shane Crosse made virtually all in the blue and grey colours of the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate, just holding on by a head from Tartlette, and the former champion apprentice said: “He just lugged left a bit inside the furlong pole, looking for a bit of company. That trip (extended 10 furlongs) suits him well and hopefully he’s on the improve.”
Tartlette’s rider Niall McCullagh went one better aboard Wonder Elzaam in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Maiden with Niall Egan, who trains the 2/1 favourite for Ms A Li, saying: “He has a lot of ability but he’s probably cleverer than his trainer! He’s my favourite horse and I’ve been waiting on him to win for a while. I think Niall found the key to him today.”
Prisoner’s Dilemma on the mark
THE two divisions of the seven-furlong Test Your Tipping Talents At Punters.HollywoodBets.com Every Dundalk Meeting Handicap were won by 7/2 joint-favourites.
Prisoner’s Dilemma, owned by Epitome Racing, was prominent throughout in division one before holding on by a head from Dark Magic prompting trainer Johnny Levins to comment: “He got a nice positive ride and, excuse the pun, Donagh (O’Connor) took no prisoners!
“He’s a nice horse and the only blips on his form were trainer error when I ran him on soft ground. We might give him a couple more runs up here before a break and he should sneak into some big handicaps on the turf next summer.
“He’s what I call a sharp miler, so he gets away with the seven. [furlongs]”
Foreign Legion keeps up the pace
FOREIGN Legion recorded a third win in the space of three months when, having been up with the pace in division two of the seven-furlong handicap, drawing clear inside the final furlong for Ross Coakley to score by two and a half lengths.
“We were going to give him a break but we’ll see what happens in January. We’d also like to keep him for the summer festivals, as that’s where we like to go for a bit of fun. I didn’t think he’d handle the ground as well as he did in Listowel, and he seems to love this track,” said John Larkin who trains the five-year-old for Breen White. “Ross and myself have a long association and I’d say he’s ridden over 10 winners for me.”
The final race of the year at Dundalk, a 45-65 rated handicap over the extended 10 furlongs, produced a thrilling finish with the Robbie Colgan-ridden Gormanston edging out Starlight Red by a shorthead and only half a length covering the first four home.
“It’s good for the owners (Harbour Lads Syndicate) as they are a nice bunch of fellas. They have been patient with him so it’s nice to get that as he was knocking on the door,” said Rathmoylan trainer Nigel Slevin of the 7/2 favourite.