Instant Appeal completes superb Dundalk hat-trick

FAMILIAR SIGHT: Instant Appeal and Jack Kearney en route to another Dundalk triumph.  Picture: Healy Racing

Bought out of Jessica Harington’s, Instant Appeal completed a superb hat-trick for Stephen Thorne and Shamrock Thoroughbreds when bagging the featured Bar 1 Betting Gift Vouchers Available In Shop Handicap in Dundalk.

Ridden with customary patience by Jack Kearney, the 6-5 favourite, up 13lb for two recent wins, challenged down the inside to beat veteran Big Gossey by a length and a quarter with Dark Ace a close third.

“We bought him at the Goffs online sale in August,” explained Thorne. “He looked a good buy on the day and came highly-recommended as one that would suit us well for the winter and it’s working out great with him.

“We started with a blank canvas and he has thrived since he came in. He’s more effective over a mile but there was nothing for him over that trip until mid-February. He was in ripping for at home, and I felt we had to get him out, so we decided to try him over seven.

“He has been a remarkable horse for us. There’s a race for him, over a mile, at Newcastle on Good Friday and he might come back here in February first.” Kearney added: “That’s the way you have to ride him – fill him with confidence, give him a chance and don’t force him. And you must get there as late as you can.” Camino Vino, trained for Wendy O’Leary by Gavin Cromwell, landed a significant gamble, on her debut, in the Bar 1 Betting Watch Live Racing On Our App 2-Y-0 Race.

Ridden by Rory Cleary, the Invincible Spirit, backed from 9-1 to 9-4, took time to hit top gear but finished with a flourish to deny the two previous winners in the field, favourite Evening Blues, who had been sent for home by Nicola Burns off the home-turn, and Alissam.

“Gavin said she was a lovely, uncomplicated, straightforward filly, to get her into a god rhythm,” stated Cleary. “She didn’t sell at the breeze-ups and Eddie (O’Leary) liked her, so he decided to hang on to her. She hit the line strong and will be a lovely filly in time, when she steps up in trip.” Square Necker, gelded since finishing third on his only start for previous trainer Ralph Beckett and returning after a 263-day absence, justified 8-13 favouritism and gave Robson de Aguiar his second success since receiving his trainer’s licence, in the Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Stadium Maiden.

Positively ridden by Wayne Lordan, the Zarak gelding stayed on powerfully to see off market rival Nuit by three and three-quarter lengths.

“Robson knows what to do,” said Lordan. “He ran to a good level at Doncaster – the winner is now rated 104 – and is a grand straightforward horse. Over a mile and a half, he has the class to travel well through the race. He stays well and should improve from this.” A week after savouring his first success in Ireland, on board the Tony Mullins-trained Lahore Da King, Iqbal Khan (55), from Lahore in Pakistan, followed-up on the Sands Of Mali gelding (owned by his son-in-law Mudassar Rafiq) in the seven-furlong 0-60 handicap.

The 4-1 shot won readily, by a half-length, from favourite Profit Surge, prompting Khan, who is based with Jim Bolger, to comment: “I was going easy on him, not too much whipping, only pushing, taking it easy.” There was a sting in the tail for Khan, however, as he received an eight-day whip ban (for not allowing his mount time to respond).

Ado McGuinness explained: “Adam (Caffrey) suggested after the last day that we should claim off him. Sam is a very strong young fella and his claim made the difference,” after nine-race maiden Coincidental Glory landed the seven-furlong nursery, foiling Apiary by a head.

Donegal teenager Reese Holohan rode his first winner when he brought Benavente, trained for James McAuley by Denis Hogan, with a sustained challenge to outpoint Ozark Daze in the finale in the DundalkStadium.com Handicap.