Dunford delivers for Coakley gang

The handicapper will be pleased with his work following the running of the Linencare Handicap at Dundalk today as Boxer Dunford came out best in a blanket finish to win for father/son, trainer/jockey combination of Denis and Ross Coakley.

Boxer Dunford prevailed narrowly where the distances for the seven furlongs race were a head, head, head and half length.

Afterwards jockey Ross Coakley said "it's a great day as the whole Coakley gang are here!

"He has grown up a lot now so you can ride him that way. Before you had to take your time, he was very immature and you had to get him doing things right.

"The penny has really dropped with him now and I just felt from a good draw I didn't want to complicate things. If something wanted to go I was more than happy to take a lead but he covers a nice bit of ground so I just let him roll away.

"Shane (Foley) came late and I was a little bit worried he might have nailed me. If he was going to beat me he was going to be flashing there, as if he came to me half a furlong out he probably would have battled him off.

"My dad trains at home and he got the trainers' license out last year. It was something he always wanted to do, we have always had horses in training and he rides him out every morning himself. He's doing a great job and he loves it."

Boxer Dunford carries the colours of family matriarch Maria Coakley.

Quotes from Michael Graham