No denying McCullagh this time

He may have narrowly lost out (by a short head) on Strategic Force in the Dundalk opener, but there was to be no denying Niall McCullagh in race two on the polytrack as he landed the spoils on Paul Flynn's 16/1 chance (from 25s) Try Again

This IRIS Handicap over a mile saw many still with hopes until late in the piece.

However Try Again was really strong coming through from mid-division inside the last, and despite edging left he got the job done by three parts of a length from Our Manekineko

Flynn trains Try Again for Noel Munnelly and the County Longford-based handler said: "He was a massive price as the last day he ran too free and was only caught on the line.

"It was great to get Niall McCullagh for a race like this (jockeys who have not ridden 10 winners since end of June) as he'd missed out a lot with injury.

"We have not had a winner in a long time and it's nice to get it. He can jump a hurdle, although he's not done it in public yet."

US Navy Seal (a non-runner here) tested positive for two prohibited substances Methylprednisolone and Dexamethasone following its last run at Dundalk on November 9.

Both are legitimate therapeutic substances provided a horse does not run with either in its system on raceday.

These substances can take time to clear the system so two tests were carried out since. The result of the second test was received by the Turf Club at 4.30pm yesterday and confirmed the horse was still positive.

The trainer was immediately informed and agreed the horse should be withdrawn.

(AM & EM)