Dundalk report: Joseph O’Brien and Declan McDonogh strike again

Harry’s Bar again proved his love for all-weather surfaces when defying top-weight in the opening William Hill Bet Boost Handicap over five furlongs

Illuminazione and Declan McDonagh, left, win the  William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Maiden from Honey Girl and  Ben Coen. Picture: Healy Racing 

In double form in Killarney on Monday, Joseph O’Brien and Declan McDonogh struck again when debutante Illuminazione turned over 1-5 hotpot Honey Girl in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Maiden when action returned to Dundalk’s polytrack.

Winner of a barrier-trial at this venue last week, the Caravaggio filly, a half-sister to Visualisation, dug deep for McDonogh to prevail, by a nose, after a protracted battle with her 107-rated rival, whose previous start had been in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.