Consistent Collective gets another win to his name

Collective Power was a deserving winner of the Follow Us On Social Media Handicap, scoring comfortably under Ben Coen for owner/trainer Eddie Lynam.

Placed six-times at Dundalk since November, the chestnut gelding was sent off a 4/1 joint-favourite this evening and was settled behind the leaders on the inner.

Pushed along to challenge over a furlong from home, the Slade Power five-year-old soon got to the front and drew clear in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-three-quarters to the good.

The David Marnane-trained Jered Maddox (8/1 from 11s) finished second under Declan McDonogh, while Half Nutz (11/1) was three-parts of a length away in third.

The other joint-favourite was Might And Mercy with this Colin Keane ridden filly finishing a disappointing tenth.

"I was in at the last meeting getting a cup of tea after he ran second and some fella walked by and he called the horse basically ungenuine. He's not, he's just limited," Lynam said.

"I mean he has been second 12-times and he has won only three. He tries hard and he is very consistent but he's a bit like myself, he's limited.

"He got his day today and he deserved it. Going into the winter programme, I thought he was a nap to win somewhere along the line and he ran seven times and was second in four of them.

"I think he was favourite every time, so he should be getting a bag of carrots off the bookmakers!

"The jockey told me the last time he rode him he won on him and he made the difference! He said he found plenty off the bridle. He could be right, he did everything good.

"They went a good, even pace. Unfortunately we have no timers in the saddle cloth, I for one would love to see them for every race. I think they are a big help to everybody. If you could get the fractions, I'd say it was a pretty strong pace all the way and he enjoyed that.

"Yeah he'll go back there (Down Royal) on Ulster Derby day, there's a race that might suit him and it has been lucky for us."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards fined Noel Meade, trainer, €65 for failing fit the declared cheekpieces to Might And Mercy (GB), prior to entering the parade ring.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Might And Mercy (GB), trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

M. Mjoka, rider of Shoebox King trained by Kevin Thomas Coleman, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got tired.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham