THE best was left to last at Dundalk last Friday night as Gaucher put on an impressive show in the concluding mile and a half handicap.
Willie Mullins’s charge went to post an 11/4 shot having been fourth over two miles on his first visit to the track a week previously.
Colin Keane tracked the front-runner Gentleman Joe before letting his mount hit the lead passing the two-furlong pole.
He asked him to assert over a furlong from home and the three-time Grade 3-winning hurdler really opened up to record a cosy six-length win over 5/2 favourite Quatre Bras.
Keane said: “He was probably a little bit ring-rusty the last night, he hadn’t run on the flat in a long time.
“Willie was happy with him, he turned him out quick and the race suited. It paid off thankfully.
“He could be a horse possibly for an all-weather final, maybe in England. It’s a big pot over there and he handles the surface.”
Finals
Stephen Thorne also has the all-weather finals in mind for Instant Appeal after he got up late on to grab front-runner Carolina Jetstream in the €25,000 Bar 1 Handicap.
The 2/1 joint favourite was recording back-to-back wins at the course having scored over course and distance a month ago.
Thorne said: “He has paid for himself now anyway! Jack gave him a lovely ride and timed it to perfection.
“He will be a horse for one of those Lingfield or Newcastle handicaps on Good Friday.”
Stewards
Buddy Batt was promoted in the stewards’ room after a tight finish to the opening sprint handicap.
Tracey Collins’ charge came to challenge on the inner, under Rory Cleary, inside the final furlong and was hampered in the closing stages as front-runner Prairie Girl drifted over to her right.
The verdict was a head at the line but the placings were reversed after the enquiry.
Collins said: “You always think that when it is somebody else’s horse (placings would be reversed) but, when it is your own, you are worried.
“On merit, I think he would have won and he is an improving horse.”
SENATOR Of State stepped up on his previous showings when claiming the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden at odds of 33/1.
The Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt came with a strong surge to lead inside the final furlong, under Paddy Harnett, and beat Let’s Smash by a neck.
Harnett said: “From his work at home, I wasn’t surprised. He has been working pretty well. We were able to get a nice position today off an even pace and it worked out well.
“He was definitely sharper from the gates in the blinkers. He was a little bit sleepy before so that is probably where he lost his races.
“We definitely thought that he would win up here, and definitely a maiden.”
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Seola was a much shorter price when landing the other maiden on the card, the 10-furlong contest.
Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount travelled well turning for home and was sent on a furlong and a half from home.
Running well
The 6/5 shot kept on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter from Soaring Sun.
“She was very solid. She has been running well, improving with each run,” said the winning rider.
“Once I gave her a squeeze at the furlong and a half, she picked up the leader well and was a good winner going away at the line.”
Convincing
Pat Flynn, trainer of Soaring Sun, went one better in the following apprentice handicap when Gallo Dell Cielo ran out a convincing winner.
Robyn Donaghue-Leahy kicked for home turning in on the 15/2 shot and he stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter success. The winning rider said: “When I got into the home straight, I was hoping to pinch a few lengths on them.
“He was good and tough the whole way. He wandered a little bit but was very resolute. You couldn’t fault him, he never lay down.”
THE veteran Bucky Larson reeled back the years to claim the second division of the 0-60 handicap for owner/trainer Paul Sweeney.
The 10-year-old was produced with a strong run by Paddy McGettigan to challenge in the centre inside the final furlong and got on top in the closing stages to beat Ferrybank by a neck.
It was a fourth course and distance win for Bucky Larson but his first success since joining Sweeney, who had claimed him after his last win in November 2022.
“He has had a lot of seconds for us, so we have changed tactics and put the noseband on and up he popped today,” said the Donegal handler.
“He is off a competitive mark but he is a pensioner now! If he keeps sound, we’ll come back. He loves chasing horses down, he needs a strong pace and everything worked out okay.”
Back with a win
The Ado McGuinness-trained Una Matata also got back into the winner’s’ enclosure, after some recent solid efforts, when taking the first division.
Adam Caffrey produced the Mehmas filly to challenge over a furlong from home and she drifted right when popped the question.
Caffrey straightened his mount up inside the final furlong and the 9/4 favourite stayed on well in the closing stages to post a half-length win over Profit Surge.
McGuinness said: “I think she was just a bit unlucky the last day. She was drawn 17, got caught wide.
“She has ability and I think she will be a good fun filly for the year.”