Review dundalk 8th Apr

John Oxx has made a fine start to the new season and he has a nice prospect on his hands in the shape of Emiyna who landed a touch in the Fund Raising Made Easy At Dundalk Maiden.

Available at 5-1 in the morning, the filly was sent off the 5-4 favourite under Johnny Murtagh.

Fifth on her sole start last year, she showed the benefit of that by cruising up to challenge the Ballydoyle newcomer Ballroom and winning comfortably by a length.

"That looked a useful maiden and she's a nice filly," said Oxx.

"She's shown a lot of speed at home but is bred to get further. She's fairly adaptable ground wise, and will go next for the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh (May 2)."

Dermot Weld will be hoping the victory of Enchanted Evening (5-1) was a good omen for Majestic Concorde's chances in the Grand National.

The five-year-old mare had come up short in two runs already this season but the application of first-time blinkers obviously helped Pat Smullen's mount.

Ray Carroll, representing Weld, said: "She's had a couple of runs on heavy ground this year and seemed to like that surface better. The fitting of blinkers also helped her."

David Wachman opened his account for the year when Imperial Rome (11-4 favourite) romped away with the [email protected] Handicap under Wayne Lordan.

"I planned to run him in the Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday but the ground was too soft. We'll move him up to Stakes level and hopefully he'll continue to progress," said Wachman.

Richard Brabazon has found the key to Lightening Stricks who followed up a win on his final start last year with an easy victory in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.

Fran Berry's mount, an 11-4 chance, eased clear to beat the 5-2 favourite Dahindar by two and a half lengths.

"I'm delighted with that as I was hoping over the winter that he would show he's a good horse," said Brabazon.

"He's shown that now, and we'll go for a big handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend."