McMonagle burns off his rivals

Dundalk’s second race, the six furlong maiden, saw well-backed McMonagle make all to come home three lengths clear in the hands of Seamie Heffernan.

The three-year-old gelding trained by Willie McCreery had been running over eight furlongs and further but given a positive ride by Heffernan powered home.

The winner was backed in from 3/1 to 2/1 second favouritism. Runner-up Good Shot Noreen was also the subject of support from 9/4 to 7/4 favourite having been 4/1 in the morning, however, she never got on terms with the winner in the race.

Winning trainer McCreery said: “He ran very well over six furlongs here last year. Johnny [Murtagh] rode him and he told us to take our time with him and go a mile with him.

“At Listowel he ran a great race but he just didn’t battle. He’s a lovely big striding horse and he did it easy.

“He’s in a handicap on Saturday up at the Curragh. We’ll see what the handicapper does with him.” Fred Fenster was priced up at 4/5 in the morning but drifted alarmingly and took a walk from 2/1 to 100/30 on course. The market told the story as the colt coming back from nearly a year off finished a further three lengths back in third. Malicious Intent was withdrawn for refusing to load the stalls.