Ragtime Red wins at 1st and last meeting of year at Dundalk

Ragtime Red won at the first meeting here on January 4th and tonight he signed off the Flat racing year in Ireland in the Dundalk Stadium Racing Returns Friday 3rd January 2020 Handicap. Rockview Roman amazingly found a starting price of 4/5 from an opening quote on track of 13/8 but he had to settle for eighth place.

Up front Ragtime Red (10s into 7s), for Anthony McCann and Billy Lee, got the better of Scotts Honour by three parts of a length. Just over a length and three quarters split the first five home.

“I'm very happy. I don't know if we didn't see out the mile-and-a-half last week or what but we just bumped into a very good one,” said McCann.

“He was a good second last week and I was just afraid of bouncing him back so quick. He doesn't normally bounce back that quick so I'm very happy and Billy gave him a superb ride.

“He's an honest little horse. Fingers crossed he can roll on now for the next couple of months because he's very lightly raced this year.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Candy Man trained by Edward P.Harty, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood on the nose as a result of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

Edward P.Harty, trainer of Candy Man, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge burst a blood vessel during this race.

T.E. Whelan, rider of Crinkell trained by M.A. Gunn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stumbled on the first bend.

R.P. Cleary, rider of Spanish Dawn trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen in the early part of this race.

(GC & EM)