FORMER champion jockey Declan McDonogh rode a double at Dundalk on Wednesday afternoon. Finsceal Annie initiated the brace when winning Division l of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap. Trained by Ciaran Murphy, the Legends Galore Syndicate-owned 4/1 chance held Nikki Swango by a head.

Murphy said: “They went quick and she was sort of off the bridle a bit, but he (McDonogh) said after halfway she came on it and he said she won nicely then. She’s been extremely consistent all year, she has been an absolute gem. She could possibly come back here in February, she is going to have a month off or maybe six weeks. There’s no hurry in her now, she has done her job.”

One-eyed wonder

McDonogh later partnered newcomer Eyema Candy Girl to win the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Maiden for Joseph O’Brien. Sent off 7/4, the Ashford Lodge Syndicate-owned filly mastered odds-on favourite Lady Pagasa inside the final furlong to win by one and a half lengths. McDonogh reported: “She has only got one eye, but she did well and put herself in a nice spot. She was a little bit green when I gave her the message and she wasn’t sure.

“There was nothing on the outside and she could hear the one on the left (Lady Pagasa), but she couldn’t see it. She did well and I think she is a fine, big filly. I think an extra furlong would be no problem to her. She might be one to look foward to next year.”

Shaaden takes a shine to the Stadium

SHAADEN followed up her recent course and distance win, when landing Division ll of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap. The Pat Flynn-trained 5/4 favourite kept on strongly under Billy Lee to score by two and a half lengths.

Winning owner Glen Norris said: “She is great. Pat’s horses are in great form. I was kind of more confident coming here today than I was last week. We have to come back now. We will keep going until we can’t come back! Whatever Pat says really.

“I knew when she put it together the last time she was here that she would go forward afterwards and that is what she has done.

“She has won two now and our options are open with breeding and everything else.”

Fast and furious

The Adrian Murray-trained Queens Fury was a well-backed (4/1-13/8 joint-favourite) winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Making all under Colin Keane, the Amo Racing Ltd and Giselle De Aguiar-owned filly won by two and a quarter lengths.

Murray later said: “She’s been running in tough company all year. It is the first day that I saw her that she was really relaxed. She has had a tough campaign all year and she merits her mark. We are delighted with that.”

Amber Blossom caused a 16/1 upset when mowing down favourite Tomarlo late on to win the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Nursery Handicap. Trained by Johnny Murtagh, the Weld-Spec (Glasgow) Ltd-owned filly scored by a length.

Winning rider Rory Mulligan reported: “She won well, nice filly going forward. It has been a good year and I’m getting plenty of support off different people. That’s my 16th winner, I won in England yesterday on Destinado for James Owen (at Lingfield) as well. I’ve had two winners in England this year.”

Desert gets up late to land hat-trick

DARKDESERTHIGHWAY won for the third time over course and distance, when getting up late under Leigh Roche to land the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap. The Michael O’Callaghan-trained 11/2 chance beat Miss Abby Jools a neck in the colours of the trainer’s wife.

O’Callaghan said: “Leigh said she jumped well and he was able to get a little bit closer than normal. Things panned out for him and she has won well in the end. She has been running in those 75/80 races during the summer and she is just not able to compete at that level. We’ll see what the handicapper does.”

The World’s Astage made it back-to-back wins over course and distance, when easily landing the Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Handicap. Ridden by Ronan Whelan, the Diego Dias-trained 11/4 joint-favourite scored by a length and a half in the colours of Peter Jones.

Winning trainer Dias reported: “She’s a filly that was running well to a stage and it’s fair to say she was unlucky in a few of those races.

“She is progressing and I hope she will win again. We will look at the schedule and we might bring her back here again. We will give her another run before we give her a break. We will probably go to the turf again, as she has run well on it before.”

Patience prevails

Gary Carroll and Chris Timmons took the concluding DundalkStadium.com Fillies & Mares Maiden with 7/4 chance Pearl Jewel. Pushed along to lead entering the straight, the Future Stars & Brian Murray Partnership-owned filly kept on well to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Timmons said: “She has been running well in defeat, so it is nice to see her get her head in front. He (Carroll) said she was maybe getting a little bit lonely, but he felt nothing was going to get past her.

“She deserves a break at this stage. We will reassess in January. She kind of had a few health issues during the summer, she was scoping wrong and stuff. They (owners) have had to be patient, but I’m delighted for them and the filly.”