Dundalk double for O'Brien and Berry

The Painestown Syndicate, Charles O'Brien and Fran Berry added to their earlier gains with Great Wide Open when Drillmaster came out on top in the fifth event at Dundalk, the Download The Titanbet Sports App Handicap.

Fifteen to eight favourite Drillmaster, a course winner from a fortnight back, got up close home to beat front-runner Ineffable by a head.

'The finisher,' Tasty Ginger was three parts of a length back in third.

With this brace Berry wins the Winter Series at Dundalk which ends tonight.

Berry with 13 wins finished three ahead of Colin Keane, Wayne Lordan, Ronan Whelan and Pat Smullen (all on 10).

He said: "The pace was not that strong and I thought the second horse (Ineffable) had got away on me. He did well to win and is getting the hang of racing. It's great to ride a double for Charles (death of his mother Jacqueline during the week) at such a sad time for him and his family."

He added: "I went over to Ralph's (Beckett) a few weeks ago to ride work, and will be over and back a bit until things settle down. It looks like the rescheduled meeting at Wolverhampton on Good Friday will be my first meeting over there, and the turf season will get going the following week.

"I'll be coming back here on Sunday when I can, and Mr McManus is happy to still use me as well as the other trainers that I ride for regularly.

"I've been riding out at Mrs Harringtons and also for the likes of David Wachman and Patrick Prendergast."

The Stewards informed Michael Mulvany, trainer that Prove The Point would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

The Stewards enquired into an incident early in the home straight involving Dancing On Air ridden by Anastasia O'Brien, Drillmaster (USA), ridden by F.M. Berry, Masonbrook Lady ridden by J.A. Heffernan, and Tasty Ginger, ridden by C.P. Hoban, where it appeared Dancing On Air suffered interference.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards considered any interference to be caused accidentally and they took no further action.

(AM & EM)