Champ off the mark for 2014 Champion jockey Joseph O’Brien opened his account for 2014 as Misty Lane recorded a hard-earned victory in the seven-furlong handicap at Dundalk. 2013 was certainly a year to remember for O’Brien winning the title for the second time with a record-breaking tally of 126, smashing Mick Kinane’s previous best of 115 which stood for 20 years. The Reggie Roberts-trained mare, sporting an eye-shield for the first time, added to her previous success here a couple of years ago with a gutsy display in the straight. O’Brien had her in front from a wide-draw after a little over a furlong but was hard at work early in the straight. However the light-raced six-year-old found plenty under pressure to justify odds of 4/1. She had a length to spare over Cluin Aine at the line, with Captains Dilemma a neck back in third.
