Murray & Flanagan take Laytown opener

Jump jockey Sean Flanagan’s penultimate ride at Cork yesterday was in the 3m4f handicap chase on heavy ground and he showed his versatility by winning the Tote Ten To Follow Handicap over six furlongs on 12/1 chance El Padre

The Declaration Of War gelding, without a win previously but placed on four occasions over a bit further, chased the leaders and got a split on the inside at halfway. Flanagan soon rousted him along to challenge and the 5-year-old two furlongs out before running on well to hold the challenge of the even money favourite Arcanears by half a length. Crystal Dawn (7/1) was two and three quarter lengths further back in third.

Winning trainer Adrian Murray said: “We thought he would have won way before today, it didn't happen for him as he just had a few issues that stopped us from getting there.

“Hopefully he'll be a nice horse for Dundalk, he wants quick ground.

“He was showing a lot of potential as a two-year-old but he never got to the track. He was a four-year-old before he ran and patience has paid off.

“Sean (Flanagan) rides a lot for me and he looked good there on the Flat! It's my first runner here and I've only been here once before myself.”

Quotes from Gary Carson