Third time lucky for Mark

In Dubai where he saddled Lily’s Angel’s to triumph on the opening day of the 2013 Carnival in Meydan on Thursday, Ger Lyons missed seeing Machete Mark open his account — at the third attempt — in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Maiden in Dundalk last night.

A good third to Won Diamond over course and distance before Christmas, the Indian Haven gelding justified 8/11 favouritism, under an ultra-confident ride by Emmet McNamara, at the expense of the gambled-on debutant Sacred Dragon.

Backed all day (from as big as 16/1 in a place) and supported from 7/2 to 9/4 on-course, Sacred Dragon tried hard under Kevin Manning, as the leading duo pulled clear.