Lunada and Pat Smullen beat Society Ranger and Danny Sheehy© Photo Healy Racing
One of the market leaders, Konig Hall stood in the stalls and eventually completed the course tailed off, as Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen followed up their win in the feature half-an-hour previous with Hawke as Lunada came out on top in the first split of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Handicap at Dundalk.
Well-backed nine to four favourite Lunada was soon dictating from the front, but Society Ranger got on terms and had every chance inside the last. He edged a bit to his right and eventually lost out by a head.
"She's a genuine, big slow learning filly and it's finally clicking into gear," said Murtagh.
"On her last run she had the form to win this race. Pat said hopefully stepping up in trip she can be competitive again.
"She's going to be busy over the winter. She went home during the summer with the winter in mind."
(GC & EM)
