PAT Martin’s Reckless Lad moved to within one win of being joint winningmost performer at Dundalk when scoring an eighth success at the Co Louth venue on Friday evening. He initiated a double on the day for his trainer and jockey Killian Leonard, in the alska Swedish Cider Handicap.
The eight-year-old has struck up an excellent relationship with Leonard in recent times and today scored a third win this winter, when holding off runner-up Carried by half a length.
Reckless Lad is now within one win of dual nine-time course winners He’s Our Music and Shake The Bucket as the winning-most Dundalk performer.
Martin later revealed: “Everything was in front of Killian and I thought he judged it to perfection; he felt a furlong out that Red Avenger was running all over him and that he had to go then, to have any chance.
“He’s been a great servant for owner Derek Molloy but a year ago we didn’t think he would make it back. He was in Troytown (veterinary clinic) for a week and they said he might come back in six months time.
“It was mainly his knee and Troytown were brilliant and they recommended plenty of rest. Within six weeks of being in hospital he was 100% sound. All through his life he was stiff but he’s moving better now than he ever has before.”
Trainer Martin and jockey Leonard completed their doubles in the concluding Visitcarlingford.com Handicap when Easy Boy (15/2, in the colours of Joan Brennan) beat runner-up Pillard by half a length, to score a third career win.
Martin later commented: “We’ve always felt this fella was better than what he was showing, and just out of desperation we said we’d try the visor on him – he worked well with Reckless Lad in a visor recently.
“He needs to be covered up as long as possible and it was a lovely ride.”
RETURN
Apprentice jockey Ross Coakley enjoyed a winning return to Ireland at the meeting, when steering the Michael Halford-trained, ‘for export’ Storm Ryker to win the Hibernia Steel Apprentice Handicap.
Coakley had spent the past month riding in Australia and returned to action on fifth-placed Hanrai in the opener, before guiding 70-rated Storm Ryker to one and three-quarter-length win over Mokhalad.
Halford reported: “Ross (Coakley) is apprenticed to Johnny Murtagh but he comes into us two mornings a week. He was in Australia (with Gai Waterhouse) for a month, and is an apprentice with plenty of experience so he’s very valuable in those sort of races
“He [Storm Ryker] goes to Singapore later this month to continue his career out there. I’m sure he’ll win plenty of races and give them plenty of fun. Eric Koh is a good supporter and we’ve had plenty of luck for him.”
The most valuable contest on the card was the six-runner €20,000 ASM Chartered Accountants Race where the Fergal Birrane-trained Rock On Dandy (100/30) gained a third win of the winter campaign, with jockey Denis Linehan on board this time for owners D. MacAuliffe and Anoj Don Partnership.
The son of Rajsaman took a keen hold but was held up in rear under Linehan before the capable 5lb claimer produced the grey gelding to lead inside the final furlong and score a two and a quarter-length win over Zaofu.
Co Mayo based Birrane said: “We knew from his work at home that he could do a bit more than a mile and a half but the way he won today impressed me.
“He could go hurdling in the future.
“It’s been a lucky place for us here. We have a polytrack gallop at home and we also have the beach (at Killala, Co Mayo) so it suits us here.”
HERO
The smallest field of the evening was the five-runner Shabra Charity Race where the Patrick Prendergast-trained War Hero justifyied 4/5 favouritism to win for jockey Ronan Whelan and owner Richard Barnes.
The son of Declaration Of War was a winner at the venue last November but then filled the runner-up spot on each of his next three starts.
Whelan elected to make the running on War Hero and, in the end, the pair held the challenge to Boragh Steps to win by a length and three-quarters.
Prendergast later said: “Ronan (Whelan) said it will do his confidence a lot of good; he is a very genuine horse but it’s good for him to win after finishing second three times in row.
“He deserves a little break now; we might find one more race up here and then wait for the dry ground, which could be a while!”
Racing began with the Dundalk Business Club 2018 Maiden where 58-rated Highly Approved got off the mark at the eighth attempt to win for trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan.
WINERS
The €4,000 foal purchase and half-sister to four winners scored a three-quarter- length win over Luna’s Luck.
Lordan said: “She had been running very consistent. Her early form was good enough to win it, and back to six wasn’t a problem. She was drawn a bit wide but she jumped good and I was able to get a good position.
“I’m delighted for the owners (Ol Stock Racing from Kerry, Galway and Dublin). They are a nice bunch of fellas and they will enjoy tonight.”
The Tracey Collins-trained Nivvo (8/11f for owner Gerard O’Leary) gained a much deserved first success in the other maiden on the card, the Celtic Adventures (Fillies) Maiden, under jockey Pat Smullen.
The daughter of Dylan Thomas had finished second four times, including on her latest two starts, and third twice and was scoring at the 13th attempt when beating runner-up Cavelli by three-quarters of a length.
Collins later reported: “She was due that and, in fairness, she’s been very consistent and has run into some good horses in her maidens. She has a good pedigree and it was important that she won a maiden.
“We dropped her back because it was a fillies’ maiden and Pat gave her a lovely ride. She quickened well and put it to bed really turning in.
“I’d have no problem running her again over a mile or further. Tonight is the first time she was drawn well and Pat made full use of it.
“I think she won because it was a strongly run mile.”
Acting Stewards
F. Cahill, P. Caffrey, Justice T. Hunt, H. Lappin, H. Hynes.
Horse To Follow:
WEDDING PHOTO (P. Fahey) She made a satisfactory Irish debut in the fillies’ maiden and can pick up a similar race if progressing from her promising third placing here.