TRAINER Mark Fahey brought two horses to Dundalk’s rescheduled fixture on Monday and came away with a double which was completed by Daonethatgotaway (7/2) in the one-mile handicap for four-year-olds and upwards.

A course and distance winner on his previous start in December, the Tamayuz gelding tracked the leaders under Keithen Kennedy before hitting the front a furlong out to beat Harry The Rogue by half a length.

Fahey said of the Up The Blues Syndicate’s winner: “There was 30 of the syndicate meant to come here on Friday night, but it was cancelled.

“There’s a good crew of them at home and I think they are all going to the local pub, Mooneys of Monasterevin. Where we go next, we don’t know - we might give him a little break or we might come back up here, I’m not sure.”

Long wait

A 26-race maiden coming into the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race, Guest Star (11/1) finally made the breakthrough under Declan McDonogh to initiate Fahey’s double.

Soon in the ‘box seat’ behind the leaders on the rail, the Jeffrey Brennan-owned winner headed Deed Pole entering the final quarter-mile and was driven out to beat that rival by three-parts of a length.

Fahey said: “The horse deserves it and Jeff deserves it too. He’s been placed and has gathered up a lot of prize money. He goes on that surface and goes with a bit of cut in the ground, too.” The winner was claimed for €5,000 by John McConnell.

Completed it

McDonogh completed a double of his own in the three-year-old maiden over seven furlongs when newcomer Thunder Song (13/8 favourite) scored decisively by three lengths.

Having tracked the pace-setting Ze Do Alfalto, the Night Of Thunder overcame greenness to wear down that one in the final furlong.

Joseph O’Brien trains the winner for Orla O’Connor and Thomas Whitehead and an impressed McDonogh commented: “He was well schooled at home and the lads did a great job in the gates, he jumped brilliantly and put himself in a lovely spot.

“He’s nice and relaxed and has a good mind on him. I had ridden him a bit of work myself. Fine stamp of a horse. He could get to a good rating and hopefully we hang on to him.”

AMONGST the winners at Punchestown earlier in the day, Ross O’Sullivan doubled up when Lost President (9/2), owned by the Ross O’Sullivan Racing Syndicate, landed the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap under Donagh O’Connor.

A course and distance winner earlier in January, the son of James Garfield raced close to the pace and led a furlong out to beat Amber Blossom by three-parts of a length. O’Connor picked up a three-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency.

“It was like a copy of the run the last day,” said O’Sullivan. “He got that box seat and was able to wait until they turned into the straight and then get the run up the inner. This mile suits him really well and he came out of the last day really well.

“Donagh said when he got to the front, he pricked his ears and idled. There is probably loads of improvement left in him. We might keep him here, it depends on what the programme is. He is a horse that is pretty versatile but I’d say good ground is his key.”

Made most

Paddy Harnett dictated the pace to a nicety aboard Koniag (7/4 favourite) who made most in the mile and a half handicap.

Placed on his previous four visits to the venue, the Kodiac gelding led after a furlong and had plenty in reserve for the closing stages, ridden out to hold Someone’s Wish by half a length.

Kieran Cotter, who trains the winner for Knobel McGrath Kilmichael Racing, said: “Let’s say he was definitely due it. We are probably still learning about him. We were wondering the last day would he stay a mile and a-half and then we said all he does is stay.

“He’s a progressive horse. He is big, he is 550kgs so he should be only coming to his prime now. He could have a nice future ahead of him. There is a decent pot in Lingfield on Good Friday - it might be overstepping the mark a bit, but you don’t know.

“My first winner over a mile and a half, so we are breaking new ground! Looking for a few more stayers, that’s where the money is I think! He would be a gorgeous horse for someone going jumping.”

TOUCHED off over course and distance on his previous start, Prince Of Eyeries (5/6 favourite) went one better in the apprentice maiden. Nicola Burns’ mount led after a couple of furlongs and fended off the challenge of Late Night Talking by half a length. The 70-rated Starspangledbanner gelding is trained for the Roving Swan Partnership by James Barrett who was on lead-up duties.

Burns said: “Coming up the straight he was getting a bit lazy but, when I gave him one or two, he kept on going for me. The last run definitely brought him on and he kept fighting today.”

Cuban Grey (11/1) returned from a 220-day absence to land the five-furlong handicap.

Last seen when finishing second to progressive sprinter Keke at Down Royal in June, Rory Mulligan’s mount broke well to lead and made all the running to beat My Girl Sioux by two and three-quarter lengths. Pat McKenna, who trains the winner for the McKenna Partnership, was leading up and left Mulligan to comment: “He enjoyed himself today, the little break seemed to do him good. He pinged the gates with me and travelled well the whole way and kept quickening off it.”