Greek Mythology shines on Dundalk debut
WINNING START: Greek Mythology and Dylan Browne McMonagle en route to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction 2-Y-0 Race in Dundalk. Picture: Healy Racing
A half-brother to Atlantic Coast, who represented the same connections, Greek Mythology impressed on his debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction 2-Y-0 Race in Dundalk.
Trained for Al Shir’aa Racing by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Pinatubo colt made all and stayed on powerfully to beat two previous winners, All The Girls and even-money favourite Alissam, in the style of a potentially smart performer.
Registering his first win since Ethical Diamond’s memorable Breeders’ Cup Turf victory, Browne McMonagle explained: “It was a bit of an ask, making his debut against a couple of winners. But he’s straight-forward, jumped well, got an easy lead and, when I gave him a couple of smacks, he quickened up and hit the line well.”
Luke McAteer had to bide his time behind a wall of horses on the David Marnane-trained odds-on favourite Fox In Flight in the opening, five-furlong two-year-old maiden but, when the 2-5 shot saw daylight, he picked up nicely, seized the initiative, and stretched clear to beat Kiss Don’t Tell by three lengths.
“He has run over every trip and his trainer has eventually got it right,” said winning handler David Marnane. “He was quite sharp physically, but not mentally and is coming forward. He’ll come back here for a winners’ race in nine days’ time.”
Raised 22lb for two course and distance wins in the 0-60 grade but outpointed by Collective Power last week at a higher level, Nikki Swango made it three wins from her last four starts for Ado McGuinness when justifying even-money favouritism in the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap (0-70), scoring emphatically from Velvet Skies.
McGuinness said: “Seven furlongs is her trip. She just eats and sleeps, came out of the race well and was in great order coming here.
“There’s a good seven-furlong handicap here before Christmas – she might sneak into it. And she might be heading for Newcastle on Good Friday.”
McGuinness and jockey Adam Caffrey completed a double when 11-4 favourite I’m Spartacus, back in the 0-60 grade, landed the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap, wearing down Sovereign Banter to score by three-quarters of a length, the gelding’s third course and distance success.
Ridden by Donagh O’Connor, Ross O’Sullivan’s John La Bear (4-1) took the one-mile nursery at the expense of top-weight Mo Anam Chara, prompting his rider to comment: “He’s not overly big, but he’s all heart. He’s hardy and tough, all guts.”
The Ciarán Murphy-trained grey Walhaan, enterprisingly ridden by Patrick McGettigan, captured the finale, proving too strong for Nakasero and Sinbad My Dad to record his fourth win over course and distance.
And Niall McCullagh provided a shock in the claimer, partnering Claire O’Connell’s Roman Harry (50-1) to a narrow victory over Fleetfootsoldier and Tortola. The winner was claimed by John Keogh to be trained by Shane Duffy.
