THE Sarah Lynam team amazingly took their score to five winners from six runners in 2021, and there was a double for the Co Meath-based handler on this programme, an 18/1 plus brace that she shared with Shane Crosse.

Tyrconnell, the only previous ‘loser’ of the new year for the Garrettstown House handler, when fifth here on January 8th, came in line with many of his stable companions by taking the Find Us On Facebook @dundalkstadium Handicap.

Juyush signalled what was to come for the young trainer, with a hat-trick here towards the end of 2020, and Tyrconnell (5/1) typified the excellent form of the string with an easy two-and-a-quarter-length win from Dark Magic.

“I was going to let him out on holidays but saw the notification about this race on the HRI website on Monday evening. I was delighted,” said Lynam. “Shane is very good on him as he’s quite confident and knows his quirks.”

Double

Sarah’s father Eddie owns Tyrconnell, and Crosse also carried his predominantly red silks to victory aboard Sabrina Fairchild (9/4 favourite) in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

This win could be filed in the easy category as well, the homebred Elnadim mare, in top order after a course-and-distance success nine days earlier, accounting for Fox Fearless by three lengths.

“I was worried about running her back that soon but she was bucking and kicking during the week. That’ll keep Dad happy and long may it continue,” reflected Miss Lynam.

“I’m scared to comment on it in case I jinx them. They are going well and once they are happy and well we’ll keep them running.”

Sabrina Fairchild ran again at Dundalk on Monday but finished seventh.

Declan McDonogh, rider of Lady Andaz (5/1), third across the line, reported that his mount got carried left up the straight.

Welcome comeback for Browne McMonagle

SINCE his last winner in early November, very promising apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle had been involved in a car accident where he broke his nose, got plates in his jaw after breaks on both sides, broke his foot and his shoulder, and a few teeth.

It was very pleasing then to see the Donegal youngster return to winning ways, for Syndicates.Racing and Joseph O’Brien, on Tonkinese (11/4) in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race.

With first-time blinkers, Tonkinese defeated Raphael by three and a quarter lengths, and in at a claiming price of €5,000 there was unsurprisingly a flurry of activity afterwards.

Tonkinese (reportedly 56 claims in) went to Aengus King and Raphael, after a friendly claim, went back to Ado McGuinness.

Other exchanges were Point Reyes to Jack Davison, Mutadaawel to Nigel Slevin, Majestic Jewel to Andrew McNamara, Ampeson to Pat Murphy and Muraahin to Johnny Levins.

Naturally McMonagle was very pleased. “It was a lucky escape for how bad a smash it was. We’re out the other side of it and hopefully we’ll learn from it.”

Flynn strikes

On the night when an enjoyable Pat Flynn feature went to air on Racing TV, the inimitable Ballingara Stables operator appropriately struck with the likeable Whatharm in the Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap.

The 9/4 favourite Whatharm now has six Dundalk successes under his belt, to add to a Gowran Park victory from summer 2019. Again with Conor Hoban in the plate, he upstaged Major Power by three-quarters of length.

“That was brilliant. He did it again, stepped up in class with 10st on his back,” commented Hoban. Owned by Brendan and Bridie Cooney, Whatharm is now up to an official mark of 102.

Progressive

Drish Venture (2/1 joint-favourite) has a way to go to reach a three-figure rating, but at three he’s just half Whatharm’s age. Donal Commins’ Mehmas gelding is progressive and he went back-to-back at this here in the DundalkStadium.com Rated Race.

After Ben Coen’s mount made most to see off Zen Silence by a length and a quarter, Commins said: “We have him for sale as we don’t normally race horses; we are sellers.

“If somebody wants to buy him he’s there for sale but if not we’ll have a look at what’s coming up for him. He’ll be a nice horse on the grass.”

BEN Coen’s uncle and cousin, Andy and Andrew Slattery struck later in the Hollywoodbets Horse Racing and Sports Betting Handicap with the first-time-visored No Patience (11/1).

Following No Patience’s length-and-a-quarter verdict over Red Contender, Slattery senior remarked: “I’m delighted for the man (Seamus McGrath) that owns him.

“He works for Croom House Stud and has a few horses for an interest. He’s after winning two races for him so he’s delighted.”

There was yet another Co Tipperary-trained winner when, Well Suited, an 11/1 chance too, triumphed in the Join Us On Instagram @dundalk_stadium Handicap.

For owner Bartholomew Murphy and trainer Thomond O’Mara Well Suited had Tom Madden in the plate on this occasion.

The successful chesnut beat the favourite, Foreign Legion, and Sunset Nova by a length and a neck.

Andrew Slattery, rider of Sunset Nova reported that his mount got upset in the stalls and hung left in the straight.

Command clear

The 75-rated Turbo Command deservedly got off the mark at the 11th time of asking in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Apprentice Maiden.

Michael Halford gave Adam Farragher the leg-up on the War Command gelding, the 10/11 market-leader made all and he was clear entering the straight.

Pushed along under two furlongs out, the grey was ridden and stayed on well in the final furlong to account for Strange Times and Lilandra by one and three-quarter lengths and half a length.

“Adam kept it nice and simple on him,” said Halford. The owner (Sammy Hon Kit Ma) has been very good to us and has three two-year-olds with us as well.”