CHAMPION jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was back in action on the Polytrack and steered debutant Greek Mythology (10/3) home in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race over seven furlongs.

Joseph O’Brien’s Pinatubo colt made all and forged home in the final furlong to draw three and a quarter lengths clear for Al Shira’aa Racing.

Stable representative Michael Halford said: “Bit green early on, Dylan said, but once he set him about his job he lengthened away good and went out through the line very strong.

“Time will tell how strong a race it was, but there were two winners behind him. He’s got a great mind and looks like a horse that will improve. He has plenty of size and scope to go on next year. He’s a horse with a good pedigree and he had been working well.”

Hat-trick

In-form Nikki Swango won for the third time in her last four outings in the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

The well-backed even-money favourite was sent on two furlongs out by Adam Caffrey and she asserted on the run to the final furlong. The Galileo Gold filly sailed in by a healthy two and three-quarter lengths for owners Claire Wylie, Mark McGuckin and Mark Devlin.

Ado McGuinness said: “I said to Claire ‘this could be a Newcastle horse’. She is going to get a right hike and I think that mares’ race on Good Friday has great prize money - we were placed in it with Hodd’s Girl.

“It is a handicap now, which is great and I’d say she could squeak in off the bottom now. There’s a good 25 grand seven (furlong handicap) up here in a few weeks and we might have a look at that. I know I have a couple for it.”

Double up

McGuinness and Caffrey quickly doubled up with 11/4 favourite I’m Spartacus in the Now Racing Every Wednesday Dundalk Handicap.

The four-year-old gelding really responded to Caffrey’s urgings to collar front-running Sovereign Banter in the closing stages. The duo hit the line three-parts of a length in front of that rival for owners Paddy and Conor McKeever.

The trainer said: “He (Caffrey) was good and positive on him, there was plenty of pace on. We knew there was going to be pace. Rolled home and he picked them off. We’ll hopefully find something else for him before Christmas, but today was the plan first of all.”

THERE was only one horse the market wanted to know in the five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and Fox In Flight rewarded his supporters with a ready success.

Backed down from 8/11 to 2/5, the favourite, who dropped down to the minimum trip for the first time, tracked the leaders and was ridden to the front inside the final furlong by Luke McAteer. He rattled home to win by a decisive three lengths for MRC International.

David Marnane said: “Trainer eventually got it, I ran him over every trip! Physically he is quite sharp, but mentally he wasn’t. We started him off over the six (furlongs), and you couldn’t say he didn’t stay the seven (furlongs) because he was only beaten a nose and a head.

“He is a lovely horse and he will come back here for the winners’ race in nine days time. Amy (Marnane) bought him for 2,500gns, so he has been good value.”

Shock success

Roman Harry served up a 50/1 shock in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race over seven furlongs.

Niall McCullagh was in the plate for the Lucky Fifteen Syndicate and raced his mount in fifth halfway. The pair made headway between horses to hit the front in the final furlong. McCullagh then drove him home by a neck from Fleetfootsoldier.

Claire O’Connell said: “I ride him out myself every day. I think it (a win) is coming every day! I’m ever the optimist.

“He needs to be kept up on the bridle all the time, he (McCullagh) gave him a super ride. He had a chat to Seamie (Heffernan) because Seamie is Harry’s main man and he told him how to ride him.”

Roman Harry was claimed by John Keogh to be trained by Shane Duffy, while Battle Borne was claimed by Pat McKenna. There was a friendly claim on Fleetfootsoldier. Independent Expert, Venetian and Comfort Line were all claimed by James McAuley to be trained by Denis Hogan.

WALHAAN got back to winning ways in the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap over the extended 10 furlongs for the Ask Dot Syndicate.

The 9/1 shot raced clear with the leader Pepper Noir and led into the straight for Patrick McGettigan. He was game at the business end in fending off the closers Nakasero and Sinbad My Dad by two necks.

Ciaran Murphy said: “I suppose he’s back down to 80 (rating) which is a help to him, and the claim as well. Found plenty and that is absolutely his trip, he hits the line strong over that trip. He loves the surface here. Hopefully, he will come back here again or he might go over hurdles at Christmas, we’ll see.”

John La Bear (4/1) showed good improvement to get off the mark in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap.

Ross O’Sullivan’s charge took closer order in third approaching the final furlong and strode home well to take over in the final 100 yards. He duly went on by a length and a quarter for Eugene Brennan and the Black Gold Syndicate.

Jockey Donagh O’Connor said: “Wide trip wasn’t ideal, but this horse is all guts. He’s not overly big, but he’s all heart. He hopped off that surface so they will have more fun with him, hopefully.”