ADAM Caffrey kept up his pursuit of the apprentices’ championship by winning the first two races at Dundalk Stadium last Friday for trainer Ado McGuinness. Hezahunk landed the opening Friday Night Lights At Dundalk Claiming Maiden by a head.

McGuiness said of the 11/2 winner: “It’s a long time coming with this fella! We were retiring him, sending him home and then bringing him back. Fair play to Mark (Devlin) and the lads (Nigel O’Hare and Philip Smith) they’ve stuck with him.

“This is his gig, up here in this place, and he was weighted well at €5,000. He’ll probably go back for a handicap if he’s not claimed.”

I’m Spartacus brought up the double for Caffrey and McGuinness holding on close home to win the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap by a head.

Owned by the Five Points Syndicate, the gelding was sent off 9/4 favourite. McGuinness reported: “Fair play to Adam, he had a good draw and had to make use of it, but he didn’t do too much. He probably got there a bit too early and he was having a bit of a gawk.

Going again

“He’s in again on Tuesday (Cork) and, if the handicapper is hard on him, he might force me to go again. The syndicate who own him are mainly from Armagh, and include former All-Ireland winner Paddy McKeever. There are also a few lads from the US involved.”

Ger Lyons trained the first two home in the featured William Hill Top Price Guarantee Diamond Stakes (Listed Race). The Chris Hayes-ridden Bellezza narrowly beat stablemate Madam Celeste a neck.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said of the Moyglare Stud Farm owned 9/1 winner: “We’re delighted, she’s a filly that we’ve always thought a lot of.

“She’s had a few hard luck stories in races but she’s just put it together there and showed what we thought we had. She’s a fine big filly that will only thrive with another year under her belt as well.”

HOLLYS Graces made a winning debut for Henry de Bromhead in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden. Ridden by Billy Lee, the 9/2 chance won by a length and a half in the colours of Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd.

Lee said: “She was a bit slow into her stride and I had to get after her a bit and let her know she was in a race. She has a lovely long flowing stride and, when she hit the straight and really opened up, I knew I was always going to win from a furlong-and-a-half down.”

Tom McCourt and James Ryan won Division l of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap with 10/1 chance Rampage. Owned by Mrs Pauline McCourt and Whyte’s Stamullen Syndicate and Stephen Sweeney and Donal O’Leary, the gelding led on the line to win by a nose.

McCourt said: “James had the choice between him and Thompson Gunner (second) and I told him to ride whatever one he wanted. He just about got it right!

“I’d love to go to Bellewstown with him, as local lads own most of him, but with a penalty it probably wouldn’t be the right thing.”

Perfect conditions

Michael Halford and Tracey Collins won the William Hill Committed To Top Prices Dundalk Handicap with Ridhaz. Sent off 11/8 favourite, the Aga Khan-owned gelding beat Ozark Daze by three and a half lengths under Ronan Whelan.

Halford said: “He had a good run the last day and we’ve gelded him since. I’d say that’s been the making of him. He loved the surface and loved the trip. He’s a nice horse and I’ve always thought it.

“I think those conditions are ideal for him and there is plenty more to come from him. I’d say he’ll go to the sales. He’s a horse that would suit abroad, the likes of Bahrain or some of those places. He’s only going to get better, he’s a big raw horse.”

DYNAMITE Defense won Division ll of that Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap for Denis Hogan. Carrying the colours of Premier Racing Club, the 12/1 chance scored by half a length.

Winning rider Killian Leonard reported: “I rode him in Punchestown over a little bit further and he got the trip well, but I thought he’d have no problem coming back to a mile, as he has plenty of pace.

“He’s a grand horse and got the job done today, that’s all the lads wanted. He’s very green, even when I got there he ran around a little bit with me. He’s improving from run to run and looks a nice little prospect.”

Lady Kai landed the concluding Dual Racing Friday Nights Handicap under Dylan Browne McMonagle. Owned by Mrs Catherine Kinane, the 5/2 favourite won by two and a quarter lengths.

Trainer Ross O’Sullivan said: “That was great. It’s lovely to win another one with her for her pedigree and Mick (Kinane) is delighted. He rang straight away. I’m sure he’s going to be covering her in the spring and she’s a lovely filly to have.

“It all went wrong for her last year, she wasn’t 100% and never happy in herself. She came back this year a far sweeter mare and has been very consistent in her last couple of runs.”