Whelan seen to good effect as Alhajeeb opens Irish account

Alhaajeb successful at Chelmsford City for Mark Johnston before joining the Ado McGuinness yard last summer, recorded his second career win in division one of the Dundalk Winter Series Championship Handicap.

The extended ten-furlong event looked wide open approaching the furlong pole, and the 8/1 chance was driven through between horses by Ronan Whelan getting on top in the closing stages to score by a neck. No Show lost ground when slowly away from stalls but came home strongly on the wide outside to take second, with She’s Good Company holding every chance just half-a-length back in third.

McGuinness said, "Ronan was just class on him, he gave him a serious ride. He took his time on him, codded him, and when he hit the front on him he said he had to throw the kitchen sink at him to keep him going. He gave him a beautiful ride.

“He's a tricky enough horse to train. He has slipped down to a nice rating, he came out of England last year and he's been a little bit disappointing. It's great for Eddie (Battersby) who is a longstanding patron.

“He'll probably mix and match it and he'll be an ideal summer horse over hurdles.”

(GC & AM)