Well handicapped Spinning Web wins finale under strong McCullagh drive

A winner over hurdles at Tipperary in July, Spinning Web made the most of a lenient mark on the level when staying on strongly to take Division ll of the Book Online At DundalkStadium Handicap.

Despite being drawn out wide in stall 17, Niall McCullagh managed to get his mount away smartly to hold a prominent position in the box seat just off the leaders.

However, those that took the 5/1 must have been worried turning for home, as McCullagh was hard at work on the Mags Mullins trained three-year-old.

To the credit of both horse and jockey, the partnership kept battling away until stamina became a factor from over a furlong out. Gradually getting to leader Clever Currency inside the last 200 yards, the eventual winner dug deep to record a half-length victory.

Niall McCullagh said: "He stays well and he is a little bit lazy. Any time you give him a dig, he will find a bit.

"I always felt I was going to get there and, when I grabbed a hold of him and gave him a few flicks, he came alive. He just reserves all his energy.

"He only won half a length, so I'd say he might be good for another go up here. That trip and the track suited him.

"He's lowly rated, so he might be one to follow for the winter now.

"Danny (Mullins) rang me this morning at 7.30 and he gave me great confidence."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.