Pride Of Pimlico Dukes it out best at 40/1

Pride Of Pimlico (40/1, from 50s) was a welcome winner for Brendan Duke when staying on best to take the concluding Find Us On Facebook @dundalkstadium Handicap.

He came through from mid-division under Rory Cleary, who did well to avoid some trouble in running in front of him halfway down the straight, to hit the front a furlong out.

From there the Casamento gelding kept on well to beat fellow outsider Sense Of Worth (25/1) and Miracles In May (10/3) by half a length and a short head.

The 3/1 favourite Ranger Bob never got involved while fifth home Is That Love was badly hampered on the rail by the wandering fourth Burning Lake but, rather surprisingly, no alteration was made to those placings after a stewards’ enquiry.

The winner had won the opening race of the 2018 turf season at Naas but had lost form his form completely over the past two seasons which saw his mark drop from an initial 82 down to 45 on this occasion. He had never raced beyond six furlongs before but saw out the distance well.

Winning trainer Brendan Duke remarked: "I cannot tell you how delighted I am. It's such an achievement to win with that horse

“I brought him to Navan in March 2019 and he came home sick. He got abscesses along his spine and at the base of his tail. The vets couldn't find out what was wrong with him.

“I thought he was going to die and it has taken him from then until six weeks ago to come back.

“It's a great tribute to my head lad Frankie Breadeen and Johnny Wixted who rides him out.

“We knew he was in great form and I just wanted him to show me tonight that he still wanted to be a racehorse.

“We didn't honestly know whether he'd stay the trip or handle the surface. I'm so delighted for his owners who have stuck with me through thick and thin.”

Quotes from Gary Carson