KIERAN Cotter saddled a 272/1 double last Friday night courtesy of two sprinters who dominated off the front.

Dun Na Sead was first up in the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap and she soon blazed the trail over the minimum trip.

The field were in trouble turning for home and the 20/1 shot kept up the gallop under Oisin McSweeney to storm home by a length and a half.

Cotter said: “She has a serious amount of speed, she bolted up when she won her two-year-old maiden at the Curragh and we thought there was going to be huge promise to come from her. Last season went astray with one problem after the next. She had two wind operations.

“It is for the Kildare Racing Syndicate who are big supporters of our yard and they have been very patient with this filly.

“Oisin has come over (from Britain) to join us. He is in the process of getting signed up as an apprentice for our yard. It is a great start and I’m delighted for him.”

Made all

Sam’s Xpress (12/1) made all for Rory Cleary in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Handicap over six furlongs.

He found plenty at the business to hit the line a length to the good for owner Gerrit O’Reilly.

“It is a nice way to start the year - banging the two of them in. He showed ability last year and just didn’t get home.

“He matured over the winter and he had been working very, very well, but he ran a few very ordinary races so we were wondering.”

Macau and Malaysia’s former champion trainer Danny Murphy will become a joint-licensed trainer with Cotter next month.

“We have just over 30, including 20 two-year-olds and we won’t be delaying,” Cotter said.

Vanguard Star built upon two placed efforts last year when delivering in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for the Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate.

The 5/2 favourite disputed before taking over after a furlong and made the best way home. He was strong in the closing stages as he drew three and a-half lengths clear for Shane Crosse.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He’s got the experience and decent enough form last year. We decided to let him use his experience today. He galloped all the way to the line.”

Cash Out was pipped by a short-head the previous week and duly justified 5/4 favouritism in the Dundalk Stadium Maiden over a mile.

Dylan Browne McMonagle rode him to dispute a furlong and a half out and the pair went on in the final furlong.

After they came in by a length and a half, Powell said: “He’s maturing all the time. He (Browne McMonagle) said he settled lovely today and was always going to win.

“He actually said they went along at a fair gallop, he said it rode like a nice race. He said he could be a horse that could get blacktype.”

The colt scored in the colours of owner Bob Scarborough.

Consistent efforts

Jered Maddox (4/1) was rewarded for a string of consistent efforts with another victory in the Racing TV Club Day Handicap over seven furlongs.

David Marnane’s charge won a final-furlong battle with Yester to get his measure by three-quarters of a length close home.

Jockey Donagh O’Connor, in the City Equine II Syndicate silks, said: “I thought he had a right chance coming here, same with David. He has him in great nick.

“He has been in great form all throughout the winter stepping up in trip from six (furlongs), he is getting that bit older now. It has really helped him, he loves to travel in his races.”

Icykel lands the odds for Kelly and Murtagh

THE Frankel filly Icykel (9/2) brought up a host of bets in the mile and a half DundalkStadium.com Maiden.

Shane Kelly had plenty of horse under him and the duo opened up by three lengths in the final furlong for Barnane Stud.

Trainer Johnny Murtagh said: “It is very important that a filly like her, being so well-bred, wins a maiden. It looked an ideal opportunity for her and Shane was impressed.

“He (Kelly) has put in a lot of work over the winter. The boys are all away in Australia and Dubai, but he has been there. Big part of the team and he doesn’t miss when he gets the opportunities which is good.”

Autocrat (15/2) showed good resolution to get up in the final strides of the Dundalk Winter Series Championship Handicap over the extended 10 furlongs.

He was carried right inside the final furlong, but rattled home on the outer to grab Dubawi Spectre by a head.

Sweetened up

Jockey Joey Sheridan said: “Denis (Hogan, trainer) has done a good job with him because he is obviously by No Nay Never, they are not really certain to stay this trip. Denis has sweetened him up and has done well with him at home.

“It is nice to ride a winner in these silks for Justin (Carthy, owner), he is a good owner to have in the yard - I think he has seven or eight there now.”

Owner/trainer James McAuley teamed up with Billy Lee to land the Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap through Ghumama.

The 9/2 chance was in command in the final furlong, despite drifting left, and came home by two lengths.

McAuley said: “To be fair to her, this is her fourth week in-a-row up here. Chris Hayes rode her last week and thought she might actually win on finals day (in Dundalk).

“There was nothing coming up for four or five weeks and I don’t like giving horses four or five weeks off. We just took a chance.”