Charmed comes home clear© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien's Charmed made all for a decisive victory in the opening juvenile maiden at Dundalk.
The 7/4 favourite had compiled a mark of 86 on the back of three placed efforts in his five appearances, including when runner-up on his sole previous run on the Polytrack in October.
He broke well from stall five to lead his 13 rivals in this five-furlong sprint. Kompromat tried to go with the leader but was burned off in the final quarter of a mile.
The leader tanked clear by the final furlong and jockey Alan Persse didn't have to get serious with him as he powered home to score by four lengths. Twilight Man (5/1 - 7/2) kept on in a clear second by three and a half lengths from Lion Ring (10/3).
“He's done that very well. He was the form horse in the race, he jumped, travelled and quickened well up the straight to put it to bed early,” said Persse.
“Hopefully now that he's got his head in front it's onwards and upwards.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
