KEVIN Prendergast may be dealing with much smaller numbers these days but the veteran Curragh trainer showed he’s still well able to produce the goods sending out a 30/1 plus double with Mumayaz and Bears Hug on this eight-race Friday evening card.
The Shadwell-owned Mumayaz added to a nursery win at Down Royal last month, leading a furlong out under Scott McCullagh and soon asserting to beat Ile De Circe by a convincing two and a quarter lengths in the Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Nursery.
“I’m delighted to get a winner for Mr Prendergast. I go in every Saturday morning to ride a bit of work for him and he’s good to me. He’s a hardy genuine horse and seven is ideal for him. He races behind the bridle, quickens up and goes through the gears nicely,” said McCullagh of the 7/2 favourite who has an entry at the upcoming Horses-In-Training Sale at Newmarket.
Bear Hug could also soon be in the sales ring after breaking smartly from a wide draw and keeping on well under pressure for Chris Hayes to justify odds of 6/1 in the Book Online At Dundalkstadium.com Maiden.
“I’m delighted for the (Erindale) syndicate and that’s their first winner with us. They have been very patient. He’s in the sales at Goffs and I’m not sure if we can find something in the meantime or if they would like to keep him on,” said Hayes.
“We’ve run him over a variety of trips and this was his first time over six. I was aggressive from the draw as he stays a bit further,” he added
RONAN Whelan took the riding honours when partnering a double aboard Kalaroun and Skontonovski at odds of just over 29/1.
Kalaroun, another with an entry at the Goffs Horses-In-Training Sale, opened his account at the eighth attempt in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap.
Trained by Michael Halford for the Aga Khan, the well-supported 9/2 favourite was prominent throughout and kept on well on the outer to hold off Hurricane Alex by a head.
“He ran well in a couple of maidens as a two-year-old and we’re surprised it’s taken until now to win with him. It’s been a bit frustrating as his homework has been good and hopefully that might give him a bit of confidence. He’s versatile ground-wise and trip-wise,” said Whelan.
“The boss has done a good job with him and it was his instructions to be forward on him and it worked out.”
Whelan adopted much more patient tactics on Skontonovski in division one of the BetVictor Proud To Support Irish Racing Handicap. The 9/2 favourite, available at 10/1 in the morning, travelled well before quickening up smartly inside the final furlong to beat Caesar’s Comet by a length and a quarter.
“We ran him on soft ground and he probably just didn’t handle it. He was very impressive the last day we ran him here and when he was still just in this grade we thought we’d try it once more.
“He’s probably just a step above these horses. He’s improving all the time and we’ll tip away here for the winter,” said Ado McGuinness who trains the top-weight for Mark Devlin.
Thrilling finish
Division two provided a thrilling finish with just half a length separating the first four home and it was Designer Cailin (13/2), trained by Pat Martin for his wife Joan, that gained a deserved victory when edging out Burning Lake.
“She’s gone close a few times before and the horses that have beaten her have gone on to do good things. She just wants to run as hard as she can. She’s very honest and just doesn’t know how to switch off. I think seven is ideal and Mikey (Sheehy) excelled on her,” said Martin.
Keane winners
The record-breaking Colin Keane moved onto the 129-winner mark for the season as Marbling justified 11/5 favouritism in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
Sporting the familiar blue and white colours of Sean Jones, Keane sent the former André Fabre-trained four-year-old to the front well over a furlong out and she kept on really well to beat Sister Lola by a length, with the pair stretching over four lengths clear of Camdeboo in third
“She’s been working well at home and finally she’s brought it to the track. She’s suited by seven or a mile and will stay on the team next year fighting for blacktype. I’d imagine that will be it for this year,” said Shane Lyons representing his brother Ger.
CHAMPION apprentice-elect Dylan Browne McMonagle partnered his 44th winner of the season and it was a case of déjà vu as Irwin (3/1) repeated a course-and-distance victory over Sense Of Worth in the BetVictor Loyalty Club Handicap.
One of five winning favourites on the evening, he is trained for the EuroLindy Syndicate by Joseph O’Brien and his assistant Brendan Powell said: “It was a nice performance and a carbon copy of his win here last time. Dylan said when he steps up to a mile and a half he’ll be even better.
“He travelled lovely, he kicked and Dylan said he put his head down and kept galloping. He’s a big horse and Joseph just gave him time to grow into himself. He seems to be improving all the time.” O’Brien was also fancied to take the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Claiming Race with Bright Man but the 4/9 favourite had to settle for third spot as Tony Martin saddled a one-two. Siobhan Rutledge got a lovely run up the inner in the straight aboard second reserve Firstman, and the well-backed 11/1 (from 20s) chance kept on well to beat stablemate Akhlaaq by three-quarters of a length. “Siobhan did everything right and fair play to her. She’s been lucky for us,” said Martin.
“I’m delighted for the man that owns him, Eric Carson from Comber in Co Down, and the (Elizabethcarsonracing) syndicate is named after his late wife. He’s a horse that should have a few races won before now and he’d run well here before.”
There were eight claims in total for the winner at €7,000 with connections successful in holding onto him. Bright Idea was claimed for €20,000 to be trained by Paul Nolan, Hightown Heights (fourth) for €12,000 by James McAuley, sixth Cloak Of Darkness was claimed at €5,000 by Harry Smyth.