Dromore provides Larkin with first track success

Shauna Larkin recorded her first track success, as she guided Dromore Lad to victory in the Britain v Ireland (QR) Challenge Handicap Hurdle.

The twenty-four-year-old Galway native is based with Denis Hogan, and has already registered six point-to-point wins.

Successful on his handicap debut at Fairyhouse, the Dermot McLoughlin trained winning five-year-old since went down by a head to No Pressure Pat at Wexford.

Sent off the 7/4 favourite this afternoon, the Frank Reynolds owned chestnut was settled towards rear.

He took closer order from five out, and hit the front before the second last. He was pressed by Ali Bin Nayef before the last, and needed to be ridden out on the run-in to see off that rival by half a length.

McLoughlin said afterwards: "He is consistent and will go for something similar in a few weeks time. He was unlucky to be beaten a nose at Wexford the last day and seems to thrive on that ground.

"It was pot luck that we got Shauna as it was a Challenge race and it was her first time riding for us. She'll ride plenty more winners."

Larkin added: "I've also had six point to point winners and I'm thrilled with that, it was deadly!"

Owner Frank Reynolds is from Easkey, Co Sligo but is a farmer based in Co Kildare, and he commented: "I bought him for 3,000 pounds at a sale shortly before I sold Westren Warrior in 2015. I love Flemensfirth's and he's a lovely horse, tough and consistent.

"That's my second runner today, I had a horse finish fourth at Doncaster earlier and I'm going to Dundalk later to see another runner, Multiviz in the 9.00pm race."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes