STEPHEN Thorne, who had gone close with a couple of his runners since taking out his licence towards the end of last month, got off the mark in style when recording a double at Dundalk on Wednesday afternoon.

Sayifyouwill provided the Dubliner with a first-ever career success, when winning the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race under James Ryan.

Sent off 100/30, the Riverstown Stables Syndicate, Yorkavenue Syndicate, Richard Delaney and Shamrock Thoroughbreds-owned filly won by four lengths.

Thorne later said: “It is magic, it is a proud moment in my life and it is great to get going with the licence. We are a little less than three weeks from taking it out and we have plenty that have hit the board. I’m delighted to get it and delighted that she was the first winner.

“I’ve worked with plenty of top international trainers and I have my experience now. We just need a little bit of luck and a little bit of support. Hopefully, things will go well through the winter months with the horses we have.”

Thorne brought up his double later on the card, as Shoot To Kill won the DKITSU Race Day At Dundalk Handicap under Donagh O’Connor. Sent off 9/2, the Shamrock Thoroughbreds-owned gelding stayed on well inside the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length.

Shoot to win

The winning trainer reported: “It has been a great day, brilliant day. Thrilled to get going and a day I will never forget. The horse was good and Donagh was very good on him. He’s been slipping down the weights. Inside draw there today, kept it very simple on him.

“It was the perfect set up. He has plenty of talent this horse, so I’m hoping that this will get confidence back into him.

“To be a Shamrock Thoroughbreds horse, obviously something that I have put a lot of time and effort into. That’s very special. Hopefully, the ball will get rolling.”

MAKE Clear led from start to finish to win the opening Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap for Peter McCreery. Ridden by Leigh Roche, the 7/1 chance found plenty when challenged inside the last 200 yards to hold on for a neck victory in the colours of Barry Davis.

Leigh Roche said: “She broke very smart, got there and then she travelled very easily for me. Broke well, got easy fractions in front my own way and, from two and a half (furlongs) down, she is kind of waiting for something.

Further improvement

“She did it well and she is going to keep improving a little bit more still. If anything, you could nearly put a visor on her just to get her to carry you a bit more. I think she is just copping on a bit.”

Johnny Feane sent out the well-backed 5/6 favourite Forza Toro to win the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Median Auction Maiden. Partnered by Ronan Whelan, the colt led over a furlong out, staying on well to win by four lengths for the Twist Of Magic Partnership.

Feane said: “He had a nice run the first day and that was just sort of an ideal opportunity for him today. He’s a good-actioned horse and he’ll certainly go on good ground. He stayed the seven well, he could probably step up in time. He has a lot of class.

“The form worked out (in Gowran Park, winner then finished second in a Group 2 at Doncaster). There was a couple of 70-rated horses and Ronan said they weren’t good enough to lead him. It is a nice thing to say about him.”

ANNAGHMCCANNS was a rare flat winner for Stuart Crawford, when landing the Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Maiden under Wayne Lordan. Owned by Mrs Fergus Cumiskey, the 16/1 chance kept on nicely to win by three-quarters of a length.

Stable representative Ross Crawford said: “She probably just has spooked a little bit coming out of the stalls the first day, she jinked a little bit to the left - just greenness. We are not big flat trainers and we wouldn’t have a lot of runners on the flat.

“We might get a few more now, if it was going to keep going like that! The only thing I said to Wayne was that I thought she stayed well. He used that little bit of information and all his years experience on top of that, and that was it. It worked out well and she stayed all the way to the line.”

Upsetting favourites

Lord Talbot upset some better-fancied rivals, when making most under Robert Whearty to win Division l of the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap.

Trained by Tom McCourt, the 33/1 chance carried the colours of Elaine Shevlin, David Boylan and Ms Denise McCourt to a two-and-a-quarter-length success.

McCourt later reported: “He did everything wrong and still did it! With the first-time visor, he was a bit free. He didn’t give Robert the best of rides, he said he hung with him down the back.

“He was able to get a breather into him and he found. In fairness, he galloped well to the line. Very babyish still, I’d say. A lovely, scopey horse. First time up here as well, so he obviously handles this well.”

Double down

James Ryan completed a double on the card, when guiding Trishuli River to a short head win in Division 2 of the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap.

Trained by Shane Crawley, the 9/2 chance just did enough to secure a narrow victory for owners Hon The River Syndicate.

Shane Crawley said: “Delighted! The sire is Poet’s Word, so should get the trip. That race was ideal today. Freshen her up and, whenever she is ready, we will go again.”

On the Hon The River Syndicate, he added: “Just a group of lads that were looking for a horse to get involved in and Trishuli was there. They wanted something for a bit of a punt, so I said ‘this one could be the one for you’. She went in and grand. They did some roaring!”