John O'Riordan
Jackie Brown narrowly denies Cross Border in tight finish
Jackie Brown and James Ryan
© Photo Healy Racing
A good week for trainer Tony Martin got even better as Jackie Brown was called the winner following a tight finish to the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap.
A consistent filly in recent months, the four-year-old was recording just a second career win, her first on this surface.
Travelling nicely throughout under champion apprentice James Ryan, the 5/1 chance was produced to lead over a furlong out.
However, Cross Border arrived upsides inside the last 150 yards, edging ahead before idling somewhat, allowing the eventual winner get back up to win by a nose.
Tony Martin said: "She got there a bit early.
"She should have won in Navan one day. She made amends there tonight, lucky enough.
"She wasn't winning out of turn.
"You'd have to keep her going up here."
When asked if he thought she had won, he replied: "No, she went by me in front alright but the last 50 yards I thought the other lad had nailed us.
"Lucky enough, her head was down on the line. Another stride and the other one was up.
"We didn't have the rub of the green last Friday, we had it tonight. What goes around, comes around."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.