FREESCAPE warmed up for another stint in Dubai when dominating the field in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap over an extended 10 furlongs. The seven-year-old gelding made virtually all under Billy Lee and kicked on in the final furlong to draw three and three-quarter lengths clear for City Equine Syndicate and McGettigans Management Services JLT.

Trainer David Marnane said of the 3/1 joint favourite who carried 10st 4lb to victory: “He loved it, Billy gave him a great spin. We knew there wasn’t much pace but he has gone more relaxed now and he is running to that 104, 105, 106 (mark) all the time now.

“He has qualified now for Newcastle for Good Friday, so he’ll go to Dubai now and have three or maybe four runs out there. Then he comes back and goes to Newcastle, and then he goes on his holidays.”

Real Deal

Dylan Browne McMonagle secured another double on the Polytrack which started with Dreal Deal (4/1) in the William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap for owner/trainer Ronan McNally. The seven-year-old gelding took the step up in trip to two miles in his stride and made the best way home when picking up the lead entering the straight to come in three and a half lengths clear.

The jockey said: “I wouldn’t have minded going on myself if I had to, I was happy to take a lead off Shane (Crosse on Father Ailbe). We steadied up plenty and I wasn’t worried when we went slow because my horse has a bit of speed. He has won over a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half before.”

THERE was a four-way thrust for the line in the first division of the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Handicap and it was Browne McMonagle who drove 20/1 shot Blackstone Cliff up to win by a nose for trainer Tom Gibney and owner Paul Newman.

Browne McMonagle said: “I had a willing partner without a doubt. He can be a free-going type, so I didn’t want to light him up too much. We went a real good gallop and he travelled into it really easily. I sat off a couple horses in front of me to set it up when we got to the straight.

“I thought he was tough to win because I had to switch in a furlong and a half down and change course. He was tough and he stuck at it to the line.”

There was a sting in the tail for the jockey who picked up a four-day suspension for careless riding after a knock-on effect on other runners when steering his mount to challenge a furlong and a half out.

SONG For Whoever readily got off the mark in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Maiden for Genesis Thoroughbreds Club. The Galileo Gold juvenile powered three and a half lengths clear in the final furlong to score at 11/4.

Jockey Ronan Whelan said: “It felt like a bit of work for him there now, he did that well. He looks like a horse with a future.

“He’s quite a good mover and he’d like a nice surface and he enjoys the track.

“It is great to ride John (O’Donoghue) a winner, he is very good to me and hopefully it will be the first of many.”

Adam Caffrey was seen to good effect on Is That Love in the William Hill Racing Radio Handicap over seven furlongs. He produced his partner with a winning finish deep inside the final furlong and the pair delivered by a neck at 9/1 for owner Mark Devlin.

“He’s a very good kid. I just want to protect his claim a little bit, those sevens will disappear on me! He’s with me since he left school and he does exactly what he is told and he uses his head as well - that is a huge factor with young lads out here,” Ado McGuinness said.

McGuinness also saddled the third home, 2/1 favourite Hightimeyouwon.

CRISTAL Clere gave Sean Bowen a winner for his uncle, owner/trainer John Nallen, in the Botanica International Ltd. Maiden over a mile. The 9/4 shot fended off Cyclamen by a neck after racing prominently throughout the mile.

Bowen said: “Great to get his head in front. He was proven over further, so I was keen to use his stamina and he found for me.”

Super Over was gambled on from 6/1 to 100/30 and the support was rewarded when he landed the Story Of Dundalk Apprentice Rated Race by a length. Sam Ewing sent him on a quarter of a mile from home and his partner kept on best to close it out for trainer Denis Coakley and owner Ciaran Mooney.

Ewing said: “I just wanted to make sure there was a nice gallop today which there was. I arrived there in the straight easy and sent him on. He stays a mile very well, so I was keen to kick on on him.”

Mr Mills came out on the right side of a battle with Emeric in the second split of the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Handicap. He found for Robbie Colgan to deliver by half a length at 11/2 for handler Christopher Timmons.

Colgan, in J.A. Magill’s colours, said: “He seems very tough and genuine. The more you get stuck into him, the harder he tries. We are still learning about him but it was great to get that today.”