REAL Appeal impressed on his first start for Ado McGuinness in the Story Of Dundalk Stadium Book Race and was the first leg of a double for the trainer and jockey Adam Caffrey.

The six-year-old gelding was bought out of Jessica Harrington’s yard for 130,000gns last October, having won six times for previous connections.

The 7/2 chance raced in rear of the four runners as San Andreas led and moved clear before halfway. He made progress for Caffrey into second in the final quarter of a mile, and collared San Andreas inside the final furlong, before staying on well to score by a length and a quarter for Shamrock Thoroughbreds & Dooley Thoroughbreds and J.P. Cleary.

McGuinness said: “We have him entered in Doha and that is where we are probably going to go. Fingers crossed, he will get in there. There is a big pot of money in the Middle East and we are going to chase it if we can.

“This was his prep race. We had him up here once before and he was very good, he travelled very sweetly when we did a half-speed on him two weeks ago. He really enjoyed it and took to it very well.”

Good form

Hodd’s Girl (4/1) continued her good form for McGuinness when running on strongly inside the final furlong to land the Join Dundalk Stadium On Instagram Handicap by two and a half lengths in the hands of Caffrey.

“I’m delighted for the lads (The Rocky Horror Partnership), I think that is her fourth win since she came to me. We’ll probably try and get a bit of blacktype with her now. She did that very easily tonight,” McGuinness said.

“We might look at the All-Weather Finals. I think the likes of Newcastle would suit her because they will go very, very fast and the race is inclined to collapse. She is a very strong traveller.”

Breen’s fine form continues

HARBANAKER popped up at 11/1 for the Leanne Breen Racing Partnership and Robert Whearty in the first division of the Dundalk Winter Series Championship Handicap over a mile.

He raced in mid-division and made a forward move on the approach to the straight. The six-year-old gelding hit the front a furlong and a half down and kept on best to win by half a length.

Breen said: “I spelt it out to him [Whearty], but he listens and he will get on well, that lad. The horse is handicapped on his old form and it just took a few runs to get him going.”

Whearty picked up a one-day suspension for excessive frequency with the whip.

Joey Sheridan drove Stardayz (25/1) home by a short-head in the second division of the Dundalk Winter Series Championship Handicap. The pair were strongly pressed by Jered Maddox, but held on for the Zoom Buddies Syndicate.

Trainer Ciaran Murphy said: “That was a proper ride. Joey is a good lad and hopefully we will be keeping him in mind as we go forward through the season. He gave her a very strong ride and lovely to win with her again.

“In fairness to the other jockeys, we left all the gear off her this evening and she was just that bit sweeter without it.”

Followed up

Ransom is enjoying himself over the mile on the Polytrack and followed up on his success in October with another under Daniel King.

The 11/2 chance loomed large two furlongs out and grabbed the lead approaching the final furlong before going on by two and a quarter lengths.

King said: “In fairness to Denis (Hogan, trainer) and all the team at home, they had him in top shape. It is nice for the owner, Liam Mulryan, he is a new owner of him.”

Angel Above (12/1) fended off Lily Maguire by a neck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden over seven furlongs for owner/trainer Luke Comer.

Jockey Nathan Crosse said: “Mr Comer and Jim (Gorman, assistant trainer) were very happy with her. They said to jump out and keep it simple, she’s had a good bit of experience now.

“We were going hard early and, once I got there, we could set our own fractions.

“As soon as Billy Lee came to me on Mr McCreery’s horse (Lily Maguire), she stuck her neck out very well, she wasn’t for stopping.”

Enemy attacks

THERE was another close finish in division one of the DundalkStadium.com Handicap over a mile and a half when Arch Enemy (5/1) relished a step up in trip to defeat Gracesolution by a head for trainer Patrick Magee and the Black Steel Square Syndicate.

Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh said: “I thought the trip was going to suit her today. I thought she would be in her comfort zone today and she was. She has travelled around lovely, picked up well and won with plenty in hand with her ears pricked.” Gracesolution’s jockey, Siobhan Rutledge, was hit with a nine-day whip ban for excessive frequency.

James Ryan earned plaudits from Eddie Lynam after a last-gasp head success on Celtic Revival in division two of the DundalkStadium.com Handicap. Ofthe 13/2 shot, Lynam said: “Aileen (Lynam, owner) bred him and we dreamed he was going to be good, being by Sea The Stars, but he is what he is and at least he has got a win. He was very good on him - if you watch him through the race, he’s not a simple ride. He should (get more opportunities).”