Stack back in the number one

On his second start for Gerry Stack and having his first outing here since June, Mossman Park (20/1) set the pace for most of the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Handicap (division two) and held on by a head and the same from fellow outsiders Golan Heights (14/1) and Vim (25/1).

Registering his first winner since La Canaada at Navan in October 2012, Stack's charge, previously on the mark for Charles O'Brien and Michael Butler, got the job done here under 7Ib claimer Dylan Robinson.

Caroline Mills, from Abbeyleix, owns Mossman Park, and one of the unlucky in running ones behind him on this occasion was joint favourite Alpha And Omega who finished seventh.

Stack, who has overcome plenty of adversity in recent times, explained: "I'm training in a place called Ballylynan (near Athy) now. I was expecting things to happen for the other one (Hilary, 5th in the previous race) but they didn't.

"This fella has been working on Jim Bolger's gallops and he's been going better and better but some times when they get two ways of thinking you wouldn't know what they'd do.

"Some of the fillies we've had have started to breed well so hopefully things will pick up again."

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Golan Heights, ridden by C.T. Keane, placed second, and Vim, ridden by W.J. Lee, placed third, where it appeared Golan Heights suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion W.J. Lee was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having taken his good record into account, they severely cautioned him.

L.P. Dempsey, rider of Kalafina trained by J.P.Dempsey, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount became unbalanced after turning into the home straight and collided with the running rail.

(AM & EM)