Cheers Again and Jack Cleary © Photo Healy Racing
Cheers Again overcame traffic problems to run out a convincing winner of the apprentice race at Dundalk.
The Paul Flynn-trained gelding travelled best when closing on the leaders early in the straight but got squeezed up a bit a furlong-and-a-half from home.
Jack Cleary got a clear run to lead on his mount a furlong out and the Mukhadram gelding stayed on well in the closing stage to post a length-and-a-quarter win over Barbapapa
He was another well backed winner on the card, returning 4/1 favourite having been 8/1 this morning. It was his third course and distance win from three visits to the track.
Flynn said: "We had awful problems with allergies last year and, in fairness, John (Raymond Eastwood, owner) is very patient. He just had the patience to give him the time.
"We found out late in the year that he is allergic to a lot of stuff that horses shouldn't be allergic to like hay. He is on a special vaccine now that seems to have done the trick.
"We thought we would have him back for Galway and we probably shouldn't have run him. We were training him and we just ran him.
"He does like the surface but I don't think it is essential, he had a great run in a premier handicap in Cork last year.
"I'd love to win the Lincoln with him, I think he could be good enough. I don't think soft ground will bother him.
"If I do that, I'll probably do a little tidy up on his wind after Christmas."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
