Doors wins on first start for new connections

Blow The Doors Off over turned the short priced 11/10 favourite Totally Dominant as he took the bumper at Sligo, the Kevin Egan Car Dealer INH Flat Race, on his first start for Conor O’Dwyer & JP McManus.

The four-year-old son of Medicean finished third in a point-to-point at Lismore behind Akorakor and finished a closer third behind that one again in the Racing Post Champion point-to-point at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival when trained by Eddie Hales.

He was since purchased by JP McManus and sent into training with Conor O’Dwyer, making his racecourse debut for his new connections today.

Sent off at 9/4 he chased the leaders in the early stages under Mikey Fogarty and was second at the halfway point. He came with his challenge three furlongs out and he was soon ridden to lead entering the straight.

He kept on well in the final furlong to see off the challenge of the Willie Mullins trained, Patrick Mullins ridden Totally Dominant by four and a half lengths.

The front duo went six and a half lengths clear of Onwiththeparty in third at 16/1 under Jane Mangan for Charlie Swan while there was a twenty length gap back to the remainder.

Conor O'Dwyer said afterwards: "He is a nice horse and we have always liked him at home. He is very laid back.

"He was very green in his point-to-point and he had a nice run in his bumper at Fairyhouse but you’d always be more hopeful that confident taking on one of Willie Mullins’.

"He will probably go out for summer grass now and he is one to look forward too."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee