Lynch savours change of luck
The Derry-born rider, former champion apprentice in Britain (where he rode 99 winners back in 2002), is currently banned in Britain and is riding on a Spanish licence.
After thanking everyone who has supported him through tough times, he dedicated his double to his mother, Margaret, who is ill.
After guiding odds-on favourite Harry Trotter to victory over Eddie Lynam’s three runners in the opening maiden, Lynch followed-up on board twenty-six race maiden Almadaa, a clear-cut three lengths winner of the Group Discounts At Dundalk Handicap (Division 1).
The winning rider declared: “It’s like waiting for a bus — you wait so long for one and then two come together.”
Marnane, back from Dubai, commented: “It’s great to start the year well. We had too many seconds last year! The horses are running well, both here and in Dubai.
“Fergal gave both horses great rides. He’s a very good rider and deserves more chances.”
Dropped 10lb. by the handicapper following his most recent run, the Tommy Stack-trained Kedleston (Wayne Lordan) landed a significant morning gamble (from 6/1 to an SP of 7/4) in the Follow Dundalk On Facebook 3-Y-0 Handicap, making virtually all to slam Chevanah by five and a half lengths from.
Champion apprentice Joseph O’Brien brought Flavia Tatiana, trained by his father Aidan, from last to first to record an emphatic win in the www.dunadlstadium.com Handicap.
The teenager completed a quick-fire double when the Andy Oliver-trained Mutasareb, raised 5lb. for a course and distance success last week, justified 10/11 favouritism in the bookings@dundalksatdium.com Handicap.
A major force at Dundalk in recent months, trainer Eddie Lynam was on the mark again when 5/4 favourite Aragorn Rouge, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, belatedly opened his account in the dundalkstadium.com Optional Claiming Maiden, proving a length too strong for Danick Of Time.
The Charlie Swan-trained Tribes And Banner, under an excellent hold-up ride by Derek O’Connor (riding his first winner at Dundalk) came through strongly to master Paramount (Katie Walsh) inside the final furlong of the finale, the Dundalk Winter Racing Amateur Handicap, recording his third win at the track.
