Ansgar defies the assessor

Sabrina Harty's Ansgar defied a nine pound hike in the ratings for a course and distance success achieved six weeks back when just holding on under Declan McDonogh in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk.

The front-runner looked sure to score a furlong out but it got very worrying for his supporters and connections inside the last.

However, trust Declan McDonogh to extract every ounce of effort from his mount and the recently appointed Aga Khan number one got Ansgar home by a short head from Johnny Murtagh on Akasaka

Harty revealed: "I thought we were beat. He's developed all year and he's getting stronger and stronger.

"He's had bits of sore shins the last few years but he's really maturing now.

"He's really gutsy and enjoys the game." (AM & EM)