Alhaajeb makes all under Whelan

Ronan Whelan adopted similar front running tactics to those employed on the previous two winners when making all aboard Alhaajeb to win Division l of the Save 33% Buying Tickets Online Handicap at Gowran Park.

Despite being drawn in stall 12, Whelan had the Ado McGuiness trained four-year-old out smartly and bagged the rail. From that point on, he bossed the race at the head of affairs and had plenty left in the tank when he kicked for home.

On an afternoon when it certainly paid to race prominently, Alhaajeb became the latest winner to benefit from a well judged ride.

Ado McGuinness said, “We gave him a bit of a breather after Dundalk. He was very consistent his last few runs and we always knew he wanted good ground.

“He will be for sale but I know he’s going to make a good hurdler. He’s a real fun horse and has improved plenty.

“Ronnie was just class on him. He gave him a real good ride and dictated it. They are not coming from behind.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee