Marble Angel improves for longer trip as Lordan rides Dundalk double

Having done all of her racing to date over sprint distances, the Andy Oliver trained Marble Angel benefitted from stepping up to a mile when readily landing Division l of the Bar One Racing Guaranteed Multiples All Shops Handicap at Dundalk.

In the leading trio throughout, as Special Angel led Blue Wood in the early stages, Wayne Lordan moved closer to the pace early in the straight.

Pushed along to lead over a furlong out, the 10/1 chance quickened right away inside the final furlong to win by two-and-a-quarter-lengths.

Jockey Wayne Lordan was completing a quick double having won the previous race on Bernard Shaw for Aidan O'Brien.

Andy Oliver said: "On her early maiden runs, we thought there was a day in her but had more or less given up.

"We brought her here actually as a lead horse about two weeks ago and she seemed to handle it. It was over a mile and I thought 'gosh, I'll run her back one more time'.

"I'm not claiming too much brilliance but that is just what happened. I actually told Wayne 'you're on a high from the last one, but your colours will be lowered here!'.

"He would do light weights and I really like Wayne. He is a super rider, obviously, and he's a really down-to-earth guy. On light weights, I would always headhunt him."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.