Shop Dj in line for possible crack at Quevega
Ridden by Mick Hussey, she got the better of Roe Deer and Discovery Bay. Fahey declared: “She’s an unbelievable filly to train — she won her point-to-point, two bumpers, her hurdles and a chase and, now, comes here and wins on the flat. Even off a slow pace, she was able to quicken and win well.
“I’m not too keen on going to Cheltenham to ace Quevega. But I must discuss it with the owners before Monday morning. I don’t know whether we should chance it or not. There’s a lovely mares chase (the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares Chase) at Limerick on March 18, which would suit her. But she must have good ground.”
Cailin Coillteach, successful for Andy Oliver two weeks ago, made a winning start for her new owner Martin Flinter and trainer Willie McCreery when winning the Ladbrokes.com Mobile App Handicap, getting up close home under Fergal Lynch to foil front-running Forbidden City by a half-length.
“I only got her last week. The owner bought her and sent her to me,” stated McCreery. “She was a hundred per cent fit and I’ve done nothing with her. She’s small and I told Fergal to keep her out of trouble. She’ll probably come back here in the next few weeks.”
Jim Bolger has enjoyed a successful winter programme at Dundalk and struck again last night, when responsible for a 142/1 double with Patrimonium in the Follow Ladbrokes On Twitter Handicap and East Of Tara in the Ladbrokes.com Where Real Fans Ger Rewarded Handicap. Both were ridden by stable-jockey Kevin Manning.
Patrimonium, a Green Desert filly, clearly appreciated the fast Dundalk surface, stretching clear to beat Samollie by four and a half lengths while East Of Tara, formerly trained by Dessie McDonogh and having her first start for the Coolcullen stable, proved a decisive two lengths winner over Word For Word.
Tim Doyle saddled Destiny’s Child to win the opening fillies maiden in the hands of Pat Smullen, getting home by a short-head from Merkel and prompting Doyle to state: “She’s a lovely, tough, honest filly. I trained her mother, a decent filly and this is her first foal. She has her own level of ability and Pat stays we should step her up in trip.”
The Charlie Swan-trained Prince Of Fire, winner of a course and distance maiden in his penultimate start, bounced back to capture the finale, the Ladbrokes Live Handicap, David Casey’s mount battling tenaciously to get the better of King Of Aran and Prince Of Fashion in a blanket-finish.
