Anjalawi gains deserved win in Dundalk opener

The Ger Lyons-trained Anjalawi showed great heart to prevail in a thrilling finish to the opening five furlong maiden at Dundalk this evening.

Colin Keane got across from his wide draw on the daughter on Anjaal to take up a prominent position early on.

She came under pressure passing the two pole but stuck to her guns gamely and rallied inside the final furlong to challenge again.

The 5/4 favourite just had her head down at the right time to secure a short-head victory over Queens Carriage at the line.

Anjalawi wasn't winning out of turn having been runner-up on her previous two visits to the course, most recently when carrying a welter burden in a nursery last week.

“She's tough out and she's danced every dance, she only raced last week,” said Shane Lyons.

“She has the speed to run over five but she will improve over a bit further.

“The main thing is that we're absolutely delighted for owner Pat McCarthy as she's a home-bred filly.

“He's an absolute gentleman. He's a new owner to us who came through Ronnie Boland, who is a big cog in the wheel for us.

“Pat would have really loved to be here so under the circumstances we are thinking of him now.

“He bred her, asked if we would take her and we couldn't be more delighted to train for a man. He's the back-bone of racing and he'll be over the moon with this.

“She doesn't have to improve too much and we'll search for black-type for her next year.

“That was a good performance from her wide draw as it's not easy to do over five here.”