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McCourt and Ryan double up with Arbaawi

Arbaawi (No.5) and James Ryan Arbaawi (No.5) and James Ryan
© Photo Healy Racing

Tom McCourt and James Ryan teamed up for a near 78/1 double as Arbaawi recorded a 20/1 win in division one of the Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap.

The Invincible Spirit gelding won twice for Stuart Williams before joining current connections last autumn and was fitted with a visor here for the first time.

Ryan’s mount came home strongly on the stand side inside the final furlong to beat Ten To Ten by three quarters of a length with Hurricane Helen not enjoying the clearest of passages a further half-a-length away in third.

McCourt said, “I fancied him, I thought he was staying on very well the last day and just got murdered a furlong down.

"I'd say he is an honest enough horse and I think he wants every bit of the mile myself. It was seven the last day. To me, all he does is keep galloping.

"James gave him a great ride, he was very calm on him. He gave him a chance to find his feet and lucky enough he got the bit of a gap and picked up.

"I bought him at the Horses in Training Sale at the end of October. He handled the all-weather and he handled soft on grass. He looks very versatile and I just said at three and a half (thousand) I had to take the chance at that kind of money.

"I got a few lads together for him and I still own half of him. As I say, he has form on soft ground so we have options now."

Arbaawi was available at 66/1 earlier in the day while Ryan and McCourt were also on the mark with course specialist Inishmot Prince in the opening sprint handicap.

Quotes by Michael Graham

1st
20/1
Tote €32.80 €6.70
2nd
0.75L
12/1
€3.00
3rd
0.5L
14/1
€1.90
4th
1.75L
9/2
bf
0.75L
10/3Fav
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.