Rhapsody's return - barrier trial winner lands gamble

Gavin Cromwell's Musical Rhapsody made a winning return to Dundalk's all-weather surface today, neatly landing a sizeable gamble in the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap.

A course barrier trial winner in July, Musical Rhapsody was unplaced in five subsequent grass outings, being beaten long distances on testing ground twice in October, and today was backed from morning-price 16/1 and returned 100/30 joint-favourite.

Tucked away in mid-pack by Gary Carroll, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor quickened to lead inside the final furlong, beating A Shin Undine by half a length.

Champion Hurdle winner Cromwell's training roots go back to multiple Dundalk winners Political Policy and Cristy's Call in 2014/15 and today reported “she won a barrier trial here but her last two runs on the grass were terrible.

“She had excuses as the ground was bottomless the last day and before that in Thurles she was hampered.

“She clearly handles this surface well and I think we’ll keep going with her.”

Quotes from Alan Magee