APPRENTICE Sam Coen rode his first double when he book-ended the card in Dundalk.

Coen and Ado McGuinness shared their first winner together with Clonmacash in the opening Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Claiming Race over seven furlongs.

The 5/1 shot raced in mid-division and was pushed along to lead narrowly a furlong and a half out. He stayed on best to hold Ferrari Desert by a neck for owners Mark Devlin and Hazel McGuinness.

Coen said: “He was always getting there - when Keithen (Kennedy on Ferrari Desert) came, he went on another stride again. He hit the line hard in the end.

“He was (in a consistent vein of form) to be fair to him. Ado just told me ‘just go behind the leaders there and try and get a bit of cover and settle away’. He fancied him today.”

Clonmacash was the subject of a friendly claim, while third-placed Half Nutz (also trained by McGuinness) was claimed by Martin W. Walsh to be trained by Chris Timmons.

Powerful finish

Ranko Express (4/1 joint favourite) produced a powerful finish under Coen to take the spoils in the Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap over an extended 10 furlongs.

The Buratino gelding was in rear before making progress a furlong and a half down.

The forward momentum saw him lead inside the final furlong and he soon opened up by a length and three-quarters for owner Dr Ronan Tynan.

Trainer Andrew Slattery said: “He’s (Coen) coming on - he’s in school, but he is in with me every other day. He’s apprenticed to me.

“He will probably end up being a National Hunt jockey, he is big in the weights. Great to get his first double.”

On Ranko Express, he added: “Loves that trip and didn’t stay the last day. He has a good mark on the grass and we will have a discussion whether we leave him off now and wait for the grass.”

DECLAN McDonogh maintained his fast start to 2025 with a brace of winners on Lyle The Crocodile and Snapaurum.

Lyle The Crocodile (11/2) made virtually all from stall 17 in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap and increased his advantage in the final quarter of a mile.

He kept up the gallop to sweep home by three lengths for trainer Joseph Murray and owner Lisa Sheridan.

The jockey said: “I looked across and I was getting it easy, so I took it (lead). He relaxed in front and pricked his ears and quickened well down the straight.

“He didn’t have top-weight for no reason, so he obviously had some good runs in maidens.

“He won well and he quickened well, but he only had to run for two and a half (furlongs)!”

Newcomer Snapaurum was well backed (7/2 - 6/4 favourite) for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden and the son of Ten Sovereigns certainly delivered for Joseph O’Brien.

He was prominent throughout and travelled well into the lead two furlongs out. He moved clear approaching the final furlong and won by an emphatic three and a half lengths.

McDonogh said: “He was very professional, popped the gates nicely and I had a nice smooth run.

“When I gave him the office, he galloped out very strong to the line.

“When I rode him last spring, I thought he was going to be early and then he got a hold-up but has come back and it’s great for John (Farrell, owner/breeder).”

Made most

Persian Bliss (9/4 joint favourite) was another horse to make most in the Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Rated Race over a mile and a half.

The Amo Racing Limited representative was strongly pressed by Golden Temple over a furlong from home, but found just that bit more for Wayne Lordan to pull the victory out by a neck.

Ryan McElligott, representing the owner, said: “He’s a lovely, fun horse. He has a good attitude.

“He won his maiden here, got a little break after the last run, and came back well. He will make a lovely dual-purpose horse.”

The winner was due to go to the sales at Goffs this week but was withdrawn.

Jamie Powell was handed a four-day ban for frequency with the whip aboard runner-up Golden Temple.

THERE was a thrilling finish to the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Fillies Maiden over a mile when Vierson (10/11 favourite) got up to win by a nose to deprive Quatrain.

Jamie Powell drove her home in the closing stages to get there for owner Joe Higgins.

Ciaran Murphy said: “We thought plenty of her when we bought her and she probably took a bit of time.

“We sort of had this race in mind over the winter and we gave her a break. We came back fresh and Jamie was excellent on her and the mare ran to the line.

“I can’t see why we wouldn’t come back here again, maybe even step her up to a mile and a quarter. Jamie said she loved the surface.”

Short-head

Nedita shaded the verdict in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap for David Marnane and MRC International.

The 15/2 chance disputed the lead with Elegant Madame and Ransom inside the final furlong and stayed on best to pip the former by a short-head near the line.

Jockey Luke McAteer said: “I probably got there soon enough, but then I got there easy. I kind of just landed there, but delighted with him. Hit the line good, he’s got plenty left and he’s in good form.”