Lady Dahlia and Dylan Browne McMonagle beating Ciel D'Afrique© Photo Healy Racing
Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O’Brien both completed doubles on the afternoon at the Curragh after combining to land the Paddy Power Rewards Club Maiden with Lady Dahlia
McMonagle was recording a quick brace having landed the previous race on the Tony Martin-trained Dundory while O’Brien was also on the mark earlier with Menagerie
Ciel D’Afrique looked set to justify favouritism from the front when about three lengths clear a furlong out but Lady Dahlia showed the greater stamina in the closing stages.
The 7/2 chance stayed on gamely getting up in the closing strides to score by three quarters of a length, while Autumn Evening could only keep on one paced a further two and a half lengths adrift in third.
O’Brien was represented by his assistant Brendan Powell who said, “She’s very tough and stays well. I think what she lacks in ability she makes up for with that.
“She had a nice run behind Pista at Galway and another good run last time at Gowran. She’s got a lovely pedigree and has got her maiden now.
“She’s still quite a weak looking filly and if she strengthens up over the winter she could make up into a black type filly.”
