Slade Power promises of better to come
After seeing Slade Power (Pat Smullen) forge clear to beat Harry Trotter by a length and a half, Lynam commented: “We’ve always liked him and he could be nice. He ‘sprang a curb’ early in July and needed two months box-rest. He’s been fresh and well since he started back and is one to look forward to next year. He’s the first horse bred by his owner, Sabina Power.”
Up 10lb. for a win in a similar event last month, Banner Road completed Lynam’s double when landing another gamble (5/1 to 11/4) in the nursery, seeing daylight late before getting up to beat Catfromtherock and prompting Lynam to quip: “I nearly needed a change of trousers,” before adding, “She got their in the end and has done enough for this season. It’s my second season training for Jimmy Long (Thistle Bloodstock) and good to win twice with this filly.”
Formerly trained by Richard Hannon, Angel’s Pursuit made a successful Irish debut when landing the six-furlong Group Discounts At Dundalk Stadium Race under Shane Foley. The four-year-old is likely to be part of trainer David Marnane’s team for Dubai in the New Year.
Noel Meade commented: “Not bad for a jumps trainer!” after Fountain Of Honour, a Sadler’s Wells filly, gained a valuable bracket when winning the Winter Racing At Dundalk Handicap in the hands of Seamus Heffernan. “She’s been runninjg well for the Stacks and Phonsie (veteran owner Phonsie O’Brien) felt a change of scenery would help her.”
Other jumps trainers on the mark were Charlie Swan and Mick Byrne (first winner in over four years), who won the respective divisions of the apprentice handicap with Tribes And Banner and Knockgraffon Lad, the latter described as “a chaser for next summer” by his trainer.
Swan and Westport-born apprentice Conor Hoban completed doubles when recent maiden winner Maggie Neary followed-up in the finale, the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap, the first double of Hoban’s career.
Swan must now decide whether to keep Maggie Neary on the flat or embark on a hurdling career,
