Dad lands significant morning gamble

Ask Dad, whose two previous wins were achieved for Richard Hannon back in 2012, landed a significant morning gamble when bolting up in the six-furlong Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap for trainer Damien English and his father Joe at Dundalk last night.

Backed from as big as 16/1 (with Paddy Power) in the morning and tightened from 5/1 to 4/1 on-track, the four-year-old was always handy under Rory Cleary and, having taken command, stretched clear to slam Les Darcy by four and a half lengths.

“He had a wind job during the summer and it’s beginning to pay off. Trying him over a mile didn’t work in Leopardstown, but he had to have a chance off the lower mark tonight. It’s a great birthday present for my father – it’s his birthday tomorrow,” stated trainer English, while the winning rider reported: “Damien told me he was mad fit and to jump out and let him do all the work. But I was happy to take a lead and I was always confident. He put it to bed well from two furlongs down.”