Trainer Donnacha O'Brien sends out 2nd winner

We had a fourth O’Brien winner of the night at Dundalk when Donnacha sent out Mythologic to triumph in the concluding Winter Series Awards Day Saturday 4th April Handicap.

Donnacha’s brother Joseph had a double earlier, whilst un-related County Limerick-based O’Brien, Richard saddled Golden Valour to win the 6.15.

Dual champion jockey and recently turned trainer Donnacha made it two wins at his new vocation as Mythologic defied top-weight to justify favouritism under Gavin Ryan.

He had to survive a steward’s enquiry after slightly hampering runner-up Comfort Line close home. There was half a length between the pair at the line.

Expensive to follow previously the Australia colt was shedding his maiden tag at the tenth time of asking and his second outing for Donnacha.

“He ran well in a maiden here the last day and finished third. He handles the surface no problem and I thought he was capable of winning one of these,” said Ryan.

“He’s dropped down a bit in grade today and we thought we were coming here with every chance. He’s taken on horses that were kind of a grade lesser than him and I’m very happy with him.”

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Mythologic, ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed first, Comfort Line, ridden by G.F. Carroll, placed second and Helen De Pourtales ridden by C.D. Maxwell, placed third, where it appeared that interference may have occurred.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that any interference was accidental in nature and they therefore made no alteration to the Judge's placings.

The Stewards enquired into an incident shortly after leaving the stalls involving Mythologic, ridden by G.M. Ryan, Comfort Line, ridden by G.F. Carroll, and Gypsy Dancer ridden by W.M. Lordan, where it appeared that Gypsy Dancer stumbled.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident resulted from general bunching and they therefore took no further action.

(AM & EM)