The Highway Rat (middle) finished second to Harry's Bar © Photo Healy Racing
Andy Oliver saddled a Dundalk double on Friday evening courtesy of nursery winner King Of Gosford and maiden victor Jack Red Cloud but had earlier experienced a frustrating defeat with slow-starting favourite The Highway Rat in the five-furlong conditions race.
Five times a winner at the Co Louth venue, Bill Lee's mount stood in the stalls and gave away several lengths before going down by a neck to Harry's Bar.
Oliver remarked: “I was very disappointed. He's been gelded this year and I think, like all these sprinters do, he's getting a bit relaxed.
“He missed the kick, which wasn't a help, and then they came up wide and he got a bit delayed in his run.
“I think he probably still could have won, it was a hell of a run but it's just disappointing as it looked like an opportunity missed.
“To give away four lengths here over five furlongs if almost un-doable and just to be beaten a neck is a fair run. We'll come back to fight another day.
“He'll come back for the Mercury Stakes and we'll try and make sure he's a bit sharper out of the stalls. If we can get that sorted out we're still on course.
“I'm not disappointed with the run, just disappointed to miss a win.
“You had Big Gossey, rated 109, and the winner was 101 so it was a fair contest and horses that were proven over five here. In that sort of race you can't afford to give away four lengths, or even a length.
“When you take that all into account you have to say it was a big run, but big runs win and he didn't win. That's what bugs me.”
Additional reporting form Gary Carson
