THE first of a scheduled 41 meetings at Dundalk this year kicked off with a treble for Joseph O’Brien in the three maidens on the card.

Newcomer Western City got the ball rolling in The One Of The Only Dual Racetracks In Europe Maiden over a mile.

The 6/1 shot raced towards the rear and still had plenty to do a quarter of a mile out, but stayed on strongly to grab Hoover Dam by a neck close home for owners Fergus Galvin and Marc Detampel.

Danny Sheehy, who was riding his first winner for O’Brien, said: “First time out he was green early on as I suspected but, as soon as he got organised in the straight, he did well to win from where he was.

“He handled the surface well and I’d imagine going further in the trip would suit him better also.”

Nathan Crosse was another jockey to record a first victory for O’Brien on Beautiful Dawn in The View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Fillies Maiden over a mile.

Improvement

This daughter of Starspangledbanner showed improvement from an opening fourth over a shorter trip at this track in December.

The 6/5 favourite tracked Holly Woods Dancer and was ridden to the front with a furlong and a half to race. She powered home to score by a length and a quarter for owner John C Oxley.

Afterwards, Crosse said: “She’s not the biggest, but what she lacks in size she gains in heart and she skips across that surface.

“First winner for Joseph - I ride the odd little bit of work for Joseph and when you get a leg up on one it is great. Shane (Crosse, brother) retired and I got on one or two!”

O’Brien’s treble came up through Dawn Rider in the concluding Racing Every Week At Dundalk Maiden over an extended 10 furlongs.

This Galileo filly got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in the colours of White Birch Farm, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor.

She got on terms with Nation At War at the halfway stage and picked up the lead over three furlongs from home. She was well in control in the final furlong as she passed the post two and a half lengths clear at 7/1.

Jockey Hugh Horgan said: “I think that’s her optimum trip. She’s very genuine and there is definitely scope with her. A lovely filly.”

Double scorers McConnell and Crosse Cap a good night

JOHN McConnell and Nathan Crosse both posted doubles on the card and teamed up with 28/1 Gatsby Cap in division 2 of the Join Us On Instagram @Dundalk_Stadium Handicap.

The eight-year-old gelding made headway into fourth two furlongs out and maintained his progress to dispute a furlong from home before soon taking over. Crosse sported the trainer’s colours and drove Gatsby Cap home by half a length and said: “John was filling me with confidence.

“He said he had a little blow the last day, and going a mile and a-quarter wasn’t ideal. Back to a mile today and down to a nice mark, he’s a loveable sort and always gets his turn.”

Siobhan Rutledge did the steering on McConnell’s Cousin Shay (4/1) in division 1 of the Join Us On Instagram @Dundalk_Stadium Handicap.

The five-year-old gelding was always to the fore and picked up the lead on his own before halfway. He was there to be shot at inside the final quarter of a mile by a host of horses, but dug deep for Rutledge to fend off 40/1 outsider Zero Fighter by a head for owner Damian Lavelle.

McConnell said: “Plan A went out the window, nothing wanted to go on. He’s a keen horse so she grabbed the bull by the horns and sent him forward.

“He was good and tough up the straight, and she was very good and strong on him. They are a good team.”

OLD Peculier built upon a Dundalk success last month by successfully stepping up in trip for The Happy New Year From All At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap over a mile and a half, his first of two wins at the track in five days.

Jack Kearney raced him close to the pace and the duo improved to lead a furlong and a half out. They swept in by a comfortable length and a-half for the Haven’taclue Syndicate.

Trainer Mark Fahey said: “He’s improving with his racing and is putting it all together. I’d say he will make a nice hurdler over the summer as well too.”

Free Solo (5/1) sealed his fourth career success in the Floodlit Fridays Return To Dundalk Handicap.

He had to fend off a serious challenge from Volatile Analyst, but kept on best to see it out by a head for owner Mrs Margaret Ahern.

“Resolute in the finish. We were just waiting for him to land one,” said trainer Pat Murphy. “He might be a little bit better on the turf with a tiny bit of a dig in the ground, but very happy to be able to pick up one with him.”

Eddie G justified 5/4 favouritism in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap for Ado McGuinness and Cian MacRedmond.

The Kuroshio colt reeled in The Poacher Daly in the final furlong and went on by three quarters of a length at the line for the Taceec Syndicate.

McGuinness said: “He flew home and I think he could be a nice horse later in the year on grass. Galway men own him and he will end up back there at some stage. There is a 0-70 down here next month and we will come back for that, and then give him a break.”