Keukenhof blooms in Dundalk

Keukenhof flew home under Ross Coakley to take Dundalk's apprentice handicap for trainer Johnny Murtagh.

The three-year-old filly missed the break from stall eight in this mile contest and had to race in rear of the 14-runner field. Trans City took them along with Lightening Stricks tracking him in second. Trans City then came off the bridle at the two pole and was passed by the strong-travelling Lightening Stricks.

Dylan Hogan went for home on Lightening Stricks with a furlong and a half to travel. At this stage, Coakley switched Keukenhof right for daylight though the pair were still towards the rear.

Keukenhof was soon ridden and picked up well to chase the leaders at the furlong marker. She galloped relentlessly towards the line and picked off War Room and Lightening Stricks inside the final 100 yards to win going away.

She obliged by a length at 16/1. War Room took the runner-up spot at 7/1 with Matriarch (6/1) a further half length away in third.

“She missed the kick in Bellewstown too and Conor (King) said then she was still very green. She's a slow learner,” Johnny Murtagh said.

“Maybe she didn't like the really soft ground in Bellewstown where I thought she'd run well.

“She ran well here in a maiden earlier in the year and probably likes the surface. She's on the improve hopefully.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson