Lovely Moon and Dylan Whelan © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Declan Queally secured a quick double at Clonmel this afternoon when Lovely Moon ran out a wide margin winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Dylan Whelan took the mount on the Le Fou gelding for the Waterford handler and gave the well backed 4/1 shot a positive front-running ride.
Whelan asked his mount for an effort going to the second last flight in the two-mile-three contest and the pair streaked clear down to the final obstacle.
Lovely Moon galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post an 18 length victory over Brosna Rocco
Queally, who had ridden Western Victory to victory in the preceding race, said afterwards:-
"It is brilliant for Dylan who is with me every day. He broke a bone in his ankle at Roscommon a couple of months ago and he works hard and it is great for him and that's what these races are for.
"He's with me five or six months, is a good little rider and is able to do light weights so I'll be using him to claim off plenty of horses.
"The horse shows plenty at home and the O'Mahonys (owners) had a good go at him! I rode him the last day in Fairyhouse but he didn't settle so we said we'd bounce away today and it worked lovely."
Whelan added:- "I'm from Stradbally in Waterford, I'm 21 and work for Declan.
"The race went well, he travelled and jumped well and is a nice horse. I'm delighted for Declan as he is giving me these opportunities. That was my 12th ride for Declan as a professional."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
