Donnelly lands first double as Reef scores

Ningaloo Reef came with a well-timed run inside the final furlong to land the spoils in the ten furlong handicap at Dundalk and give trainer Garvan Donnelly a double on the night. Timjoe cut out the running and had his rivals at work early in the straight. Kevin Manning got a good tune from Ningaloo Reef, however, who wore down the front-runner in the closing stages.

Course regular Shake The Bucket came with a late run but could only get within half a length of the winner.

Ningaloo Reef has proven the model of consistency over the winter at Dundalk and was recording his third course success (his other two career victories came at Naas).

“He's been very consistent and Kevin said to step him up to a mile-and-a-quarter. He's a fierce honest horse and always tries,” said Donnelly.

“I'm delighted. That's my first double.”

Donnelly had also saddled Equation Of Time to land the mile handicap earlier on the card.

The Ring Is King was sent off the 3/1 favourite but after racing second for much failed to pick up in the straight and finished sixth.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)