Crystal Dawn shines for Cromwell and Slattery

Crystal Dawn (5/1) took the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap in the hands of Andrew Slattery.

A daughter of the recently-deceased Rip Van Winkle, the winner came with a steady run down the centre of the track to hit the front inside the final furlong and scored by three quarters of a length from long-time leader Sebs Star (25/1). Sestriere (15/2) was three and a quarter lengths further back in third while the 4/1 favourite Ty Rock Brandy fly-leapt at the start and couldn’t land a blow in seventh.

The winner was acquired for E3,000 from a claimer at this track in February, and had been a beaten favourite on her first three starts for new trainer Gavin Cromwell without by any means running poorly.

It was a fifth winner of the campaign for 3lbs claimer Slattery who said: She was entitled to do that. She had been knocking on the door and had been backed into favourite a few times.

“I was always confident I'd pick up the one in front as I thought I had a bit up my sleeve.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson