Bolger strikes again in Ulster Derby

Jim Bolger enhanced his remarkable recent record in the Magners Ulster Derby when Clongowes broke his maiden in style in the €100,000 contest.

The Coolcullen handler claimed the race last year with Stellar Mass and was making it three out of the last four runnings having also scored with another maiden in Wexford Town in 2014.

The Godolphin colt came into the mile-and-a-half feature contest at Down Royal having been placed in seven maiden starts before today.

Ronan Whelan, taking the mount for the first time, sat on the girth of leader Finn McCool throughout before sending the well-backed 3/1 favourite (13/1 this morning) to the lead crossing the road at the two pole.

The son of New Approach kept on strongly inside the final furlong as Wingingit ran on to take the runner-up spot, a length-and-a-quarter behind.

“I came here today hoping that he'd get the job done. I spoke to the boss and spoke to Kevin Manning last night and they were very sweet about him,” said Whelan.

“He's been hitting the crossbar a lot so it's nice to get his head in front.

“He's just a big galloper and he'll never do anything flashy. That's why I was always close to the pace as I didn't want to give him too much to do.

“I didn't want him getting caught for a turn of foot because what he does do is gallop he'll go even further than he did today.

“The boss always seems to line one up for here and he fitted his profile today. He had a couple of good runs and was nicely weighted.

“We had Stellar Mass here last year who went on to be third in the Irish Derby. I know it's only a handicap but it always takes a nice horse to win this.

“Who knows what he could make up in to as he's still on the up.”

It was a quick double on the card for Whelan, who had also landed the previous contest on Cappadocia