A happy pair, Andrew Thornton and Claire Simpson© Photo Healy Racing
Irish Grand National winning jockey, Andrew Thornton's partner, Claire Simpson got off the mark in the training ranks when on his first start for the Dunderry, County Meath-based trainer, Enigma Code prevailed in the Floodlit Friday Nights Rated Race at Dundalk.
Simpson also owns the eight-year-old, absent since last February, and Thornton had the 14/1 shot close to the pace throughout. He came through to lead a furlong out and he kept going well to defeat Fol Hollow by a length and three parts.
There was a big-plunge on the Andy Oliver-trained Ocean Drift (reared leaving stalls) here – from double figures this morning into 3/1 but he had to settle for fourth place.
The favourite meanwhile, Bangalore Diamond was reported by his rider, Ian Brennan, to have become upset in the stalls. He said his mount never travelled and was empty in the home straight. The market-leader eventually only beat one home. He was found to be bruised on his right hind leg.
Stranraer, Scotland native Simpson received her licence to train in December and this was an initial winner from just her third runner.
She explained: "I have seven horses at the minute and I previously pre-trained for Ian Ferguson and Ronnie Bartlett.
"We gave this horse a rest since we got him. He's very jointy. We'll see how he comes out of that as I don't like running them again too soon.
"I want him to come back to himself before I run him again - when we'll come back here.
"We look after him well and he gets to the beach a lot." (MG & EM)
