Double puts McDonogh seven clear in title race

DECLAN MCDONOGH struck a major blow in his bid to be champion jockey for the first time when landing a double at the first stage of the Listowel Festival yesterday.

Admittedly, he had to settle for a dead-heat in the featured Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Premier Nursery aboard the morning-price gamble Star Inside, but will lose little sleep over that.

Mica's Island made a brave attempt from the front, but appeared to be headed close home by Star Inside, returned the 5-2 favourite after 11-2 was available in the offices.