'Salsify Sweeney' wins Dundalk's opener

Rodger Sweeney reintroduces his veteran dual Cheltenham Foxhunters Chase winner Salsify at Naas on Sunday and the Co Cork based trainer was today finally rewarded for some enterprise in claiming Muzbid as the gelding won the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Rated Race at Dundalk.

Muzbid, a son of Lope De Vega began life with trainer Dermot Weld, before moving to trainers Denis Hogan and Patrick Prendergast, for whom he won a Gowran Claimer in May 2018.

Muzbid's €9,000 asking price attracted plenty interest then with Co Cork based Sweeney one of 15 claimants to flash the cash, before proving successful in the subsequent draw.

Muzbid was then absent for 312 days before eventually debuting for Sweeney and today gained a deserved third career win, having been placed on his last three starts at today's venue this winter.

Sweeney later said “the second last time here I thought he was a bit unlucky. He did it handy enough there today.

“I'll see what I get from the handicapper and I'll take it from there. He'll probably come back here because he likes it.”

Sweeney's grand old veteran Salsify, named after an edible European plant of the daisy family, has his first start this season at Naas on Sunday where the 15 year old togs out in the concluding race.

Quotes from Gary Carson