PADRAIG Beggy put a troubled period behind him when partnering his first Irish winner in over four years aboard 4/1 favourite Chatterton in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
The Dunboyne native only returned to race-riding last month after serving a cumulative year ban due to testing positive for a banned substance, and giving false evidence in relation to the issue, in Australia.
Beggy has been riding out in Ballydoyle this year, and he showed plenty of strength to get the Paul Flynn-trained gelding up inside the final 100 yards to beat Red Words by a length and a quarter.
“I had my suspension and only took out the licence again six weeks ago. I’m working down in Ballydoyle and have been there since January,” said Beggy before adding, “Paul has always been very good to me and I’m delighted to ride a winner for him.”
There was a poignant note to the win as racing journalist Damien McElroy, representing owner Anton Glynn, explained. “The man who owned him (Stan Glynn) was buried today in Cong. He transferred the horse to his brother Anton a fortnight ago, before his last run, as he knew he was dying.”
Wayne Lordan partnered a 32/1 double highlighted by the feature race win of Reckless Lad in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.
The easy-to-back 10/1 shot has recorded four of his five career wins at this venue, and was produced with a well-timed challenge in the €24,000 event to beat Toccata Blue by a neck.
“We thought the fast pace would suit him and he travelled really well. It was a lovely ride by Wayne and he just got there at the right time,” said Pat Martin, who trains the five-year-old for Derek Molloy.
“I didn’t plan to come back here with him as I didn’t think he’d get away with the surface but it’s easier now. If it had been as quick as last year he wouldn’t have come.”
Lordan initiated his double in the seven-furlong Big Bad Bob Maiden as Aspen Mountain got up close home to justify strong support. Trained by David Wachman for Tadhg Geary, the Canford Cliffs colt was as big as 9/2 earlier in the day and further backed on track from 11/4 into 2/1.
He came home strongly in a tight finish to beat Hasselnott by a neck, with well-backed 6/4 favourite Red Rannagh also staying on well just another neck away in third.
Lordan said: “He’s a nice horse and ran well the first day in Gowran. He was a bit weak and David gave him a chance afterwards. We thought he would have no problem winning one up here. He’s still a bit weak so he’ll probably get a break and come back for the grass.”
Curragh trainer Johnny Levins was also in double form taking the final two races on the card with Brosnan and Brokopondo.
Brosnan was friendless in the market for division two of the irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap but the 14/1 chance came good on her third start for the yard this autumn beating well-backed 2/1 favourite Credit The Giver by a head under Gary Carroll.
“I’m delighted for Duncan and Lynne McGregor who are new owners to me. I have to thank my assistant John (Kavanagh) who was instrumental in getting the filly as he is a long-time friend of the McGregors. She’s a lovely sweet little filly and there is no reason why she couldn’t win again here in the coming weeks,” said Levins.
Brokopondo (6/1), ridden by stable apprentice Donagh O’Connor, completed the quickfire 104/1 double in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap when holding off Sea Of Blue by a short-head, with Mademoiselle Penny just a head further back in third.
Levins said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Declan (Kiernan, owner) who is an absolute gent. He has persevered with the horse and been justly rewarded. Donagh gave him an absolute peach of a ride.”
Peticoatgovernment, 13/2 in the morning and returned at just 7/2, made most under Billy Lee for a popular length verdict over Multiviz in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
“I bought her last year and stuck the lads into her recently. We just didn’t get the colours changed over in time. The syndicate includes Richie Dunne who played football with me years ago,” said trainer Willie McCreery.
“She ran very well the last day and just got shuffled back mid-race. I wasn’t that keen on coming up here but we thought she’d either win or get handicapped for next year. She’s growing all the time and that’ll be her for the year.”
The Paul Rooney-owned Chestnut Fire was another well-backed winner in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap. Shane Foley oozed confidence on the 9/4 favourite, and didn’t need to get serious to beat Split The Atom by a length. Fifth-placed Poetic Choice was disqualified after Padraig Beggy failed to weigh in.
Winning trainer Michael Halford said: “He’s a genuine straight forward horse. He loved the surface and it was a good trip for him. It’s a bit different for them here first time under the lights and some look around more than others. He’ll give Paul plenty of fun, and is a replacement for Alvar who we had to retire.”
Division one of the irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap went to lightly-raced Solar Benny. The Keith Clarke-trained 8/1 (from 10/1) chance kept on gamely for Robbie Downey to beat Artiste Celebre by half a length.
Clarke said: “Everyday we’re learning more about him. He’s seven but he’s done no racing. He’s by a sprinter in Balmont and if he was a two-year-old he might have speed but all he does is stay. Robbie gave him a peach of a ride.
“He had been working well with Poitin and Poetic Choice. Credit to the owners, the ABLE Syndicate from Ashtown, who have been very patient.”
ACTING STEWARDS
R.S. Martin, S. Collins, E. Irwin, Dr P. Molony, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CHESTNUT FIRE (M Halford): Handled the Polytrack surface well to record a comfortable win and looks well capable of returning here for further success.
Whip ban
Donnacha O’Brien picked up a two-day whip ban on runner-up Credit The Giver in division two of the injuredjockeys.com Handicap.