Falcon swoops to score this time

In a first-time hood, last time out, Gold Falcon was a gambled-on fifth behind his stable companion, Cookie Crumbles but it all came together for the Iffraaj four-year-old in division two of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk tonight.

A 4,000 guineas buy out of the David Simcock-yard last October, the Ian Brennan-ridden Gold Falcon was waited with on this occasion.

He got there travelling well from over a quarter of a mile out. He was pulled out to deliver his challenge from over a furlong out, soon led and stayed on well inside the last to beat the coming home well favourite, Clare Harrier (well-backed), by half a length.

Ado McGuinness trains the 12/1 winner for Brendan O'Farrell and he remarked: "Ian gave him a great ride. He's a very difficult horse to ride. We couldn't even get him on to the gallops for a while after buying him at Newmarket.

"We used ear-plugs and everything and I think he has plenty of ability. The plan was to drop him in and he came up the rail well. I hope the handicapper isn't too hard on him." (MG & EM)