Donal Murphy
Bolger & Manning bounce back with Sten
Stenographer (blue) leads them home under Kevin Manning
© Photo Healy Racing
After a disappointing effort from Dubai Is Great in the opener, Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning bounced back in the Tulsk Handicap, as their Stenographer came home in front.
Successful on debut at the Curragh in March of last year, the four-year-old son of Distorted Humor finished ninth of twenty-seven in the Cambridgeshire on his most recent outing.
Available at 8/1 last night, the Godolphin owned chestnut opened on-course at 7/2, touching 9/2, before going off a 4/1 chance.
Settled in mid-division, he was ridden in second two furlongs out, getting to the front at the furlong pole, staying on well from there to score by half a length.
The Damian English trained Tribal Path finished second at 9/2 under Shane Foley, while Bubbly Bellini (11/2) was a neck away in third for Ronan Whelan and Adrian McGuinness. Not A Bad Oul Day was sent off the 3/1 favourite, and he was fourth under Dylan Hogan for Johnny Feane.
Ger Flynn, Jim Bolger's travelling head lad, said afterwards: "He's been knocking on the door in his last few runs and has not been beaten that far in Premier Handicap's at Galway and the Curragh. It's nice to get him back as it's been a while since he won his maiden at the Curragh.
"He's worth persevering with and he handled the ground really well and stayed well. Hopefully there is another day in him."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee