JOHN McConnell saddled a double at Dundalk last Friday as Mulgrave bounced back to form in The Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap over a mile.

The 6/1 shot was held up by Donagh O’Connor and didn’t have the clearest route in the final quarter of a mile, however, he stayed on between horses approaching the final furlong and swept through to lead in the final 100 yards. He passed the post with half a length to spare for owners Malachy Trainor, Eithne McMorrow, Gabriel Byrne and the Turnings Syndicate.

“Down to a mark that he can win off,” McConnell said. “He has a lot of ability when things fall right for him. Delighted for him and another good ride by Donagh there, he is riding very well.”

McConnell’s Together Aclaim was brought with a well-timed challenge by Keithen Kennedy to land the second division of The Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap at 11/1.

The five-year-old gelding, owned by the Claimers Syndicate, closed behind the leaders a furlong down and maintained his momentum to lead close home.

Kennedy said: “I’m very happy with him there today, he settled away lovely and, when I asked him to (go on), I was very happy with him. John was confident enough.”

Killian Leonard, rider of runner-up Snag It, was banned for three days for frequency with the whip and two days for riding carelessly.

Prominent

Eoin Doyle’s Moondharrig (10/3 joint-favourite) popped up in Dundalk for owner Mrs Christina Hughes last month and repeated the feat in the first division of The Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap.

The four-year-old gelding raced prominently and moved into a narrow lead a furlong and a half out. He found plenty to go on by three lengths at the line.

Jockey Wesley Joyce did the steering and said: “He probably did it easier today as I just changed my hands and pushed him out. I think there might be more to come from him as he improving all the time.”

WAR Correspondent grabbed the elusive flat victory to go with his Punchestown hurdle success when powering home in The Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap over a mile and a half.

Dylan Browne McMonagle raced him in the box seat and the pair led on their own three furlongs out. The race was soon over as they strode right away to score by five lengths at 7/1 for Gillian Cody.

Trainer Ray Cody said: “The last day was a non event, he stood in the stalls (here) and the race was over. Luckily we were in last today which was a big help.

“He’s basically running away here until he gets a bit of nice ground to go back over jumps. He wants good ground. He has a wind issue, so he gets away with it on nice ground.”

Nerano went off 2/9 favourite for The Join Us On Instagram @Dundalk_Stadium Maiden over a mile after a promising third place over course and distance in December.

Dylan Browne McMonagle pushed him along to lead inside the final quarter of a mile and the War Front colt stretched away in the final furlong to score by five lengths for owner/trainer Joseph O’Brien.

“I travelled around everywhere and it was only a matter of pressing the button whenever I wanted,” said Browne McMonagle. “He has quickened up good and has got to the line like he will have no problem stepping up in trip as well. He’s definitely an exciting colt.”

Beauty Bella (9/1) made the breakthrough at the 15th time of asking in The View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Fillies Maiden.

She travelled smoothly to close two furlongs out and Jack Cleary rode her to the front a furlong down. She saw out the mile well to strike by a length and a half for owner Michael De Aguiar

Trainer Adrian Murray said: “Before this, when she came under pressure you’d give her a couple of smacks behind the saddle and she would just put up her head and had enough.

“She rolled into it there with hands and heels, and she was game at the end. We’ll keep her going probably on the turf over the summer.”

RIVER Derwent made it two wins in three days at Dundalk when getting the verdict in a thrilling finish to The Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Claiming Race.

The 7/1 chance disputed the lead a furlong out and kept on best for James Ryan to see off Notforalongtime and The Cola Brasil by a neck and a head respectively.

Owner/trainer Dick Donohoe said: “In fairness, the starter let him go in late again today which is a huge help and the blinkers helped too as he lost five or six lengths a couple of days in a row.”

The winner was claimed by Meath trainer Thomas Coyle while there was a friendly claim by Michael Browne for third-placed The Cola Brasil. Might And Mercy was claimed by Mrs E Keane to be trained by Gerry Keane.

The Cola Brasil’s jockey, Cristiano Martins, picked up a five-day ban for frequency with the whip.

Aisling Oscar has really hit form since stepping into handicap company and built upon a success last month as he took The Put The Fun In Fundraising At Dundalk Handicap.

Sharpened up

Danny Sheehy did the steering again and produced the 11/8 favourite to lead approaching the final furlong. The winner kept up the gallop to come in by a length and three-quarters for owner/trainer Craig O’Neill.

Sheehy said: “He’s after coming forward from his previous win. He definitely sharpened up from the experience the last day. In fairness, the drop down to seven (furlongs) didn’t seem to be an issue there.”