Last-to-first success for progressive Bible Black

BIBLE Black, trained by Dundalk specialist Ger Lyons, came from last-to-first to land last night’s feature at the County Louth track, the listed Star Appeal 2-Y-0 Stakes.

Ridden by Keagan Latham, the Big Bad Bob gelding was produced to challenge widest of all, took the lead at the furlong-pole and ran on to beat Captain Dynamo by three-quarters of length.

Lyons’ brother and assistant Shane commented: “We had a concern about the trip - it was his first run over seven. But it was the ride of the week by Keagan. This horse deserved a listed win and is easy-to-train and still fresh. So, if there’s something else for him here, he’ll run again.”

Johnny Murtagh extended his lead in the title-race to four (72-68) when Missliyna proved too strong for Sloane Street in the concluding fillies maiden while Joseph O’Brien consolidated his bid for the apprentice title, outright, when 25/1 shot Ancient Sands pipped Imagination in the Come On Ireland Handicap.

The divisions of the auction maiden for two-year-olds were won by contrasting types, the Paul Deegan-trained debutante Caprella and Gerry Keane’s Captain Cullen, which got off the mark at the fifth attempt under the trainer’s 7lb.-claiming son Colin.

Having travelled strongly into the lead Caprella (Willie Supple) showed signs of inexperience before beating favourite That’s Plenty by a half-length in the first division, prompting trainer Deegan to comment: “She’s a smart filly, with lots of pace. She was ready to go early in the season but had a little hold-up and her owner (Evelyn Yates) has been very patient.

“The filly was professional, but has plenty of filling out to do over the winter. She should make a nice sprinting type next year.”

Earlier in-form trainer Eddie Lynam declared: “Age has caught up with him, just like the rest of us. That’s his first win in two years,” after Duff pounced inside the final furlong to beat Six Of Hearts and The Rea[per in the Irelands Call Race.