Make A Challenge dominates in Waterford Testimonial

Make A Challenge continued his remarkable rate of improvement this season when taking the Waterford Testimonial Stakes in great style at the Curragh.

The son of Invincible Spirit won the first of six races this season off a mark of 68 at Fairyhouse back in May and has proceeded to score twice at the Galway Festival and a further three times at the Curragh.

Regular partner Joe Doyle produced him to head fellow 9/4 joint favourite Downforce a furlong out, and he drew right away to beat that rival by four and a half lengths in this six-furlong Listed event.

Urban Beat was a further length and a half away in third.

Winning trainer Denis Hogan said, “That didn’t shock me after what he did in the Joe McGrath. Some people were thinking the handicapper was hard on us (raising him 14lb to 109) but deep down I knew he was right.

“I had said we were coming here and then put him away for the winter but there is a chance he could go to Dubai as Walter (O’Connor, part owner) has plenty of business there.

“He could also be supplemented for Ascot next weekend. We’ll have to have a look at it and I think we have until Tuesday morning to decide. He loves an ease in the ground and was working very well on our gallop last winter.

“He had issues in the stalls earlier in the year but the boys in the yard and Joe Doyle seem to have ironed them out. He failed to load twice and blew the start another day.

“To be able to win over six and five opens plenty of doors.

“We’re having a great season both on the Flat and over jumps and it’s down to all the hard work of the staff at home. The sales are coming up and we have a lot of stables to fill so it’s good.”