Eacharn stays on best under Coen for Slattery

Eacharn got up close home to beat Nigg Bay in the Hen & Stag Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Trained by Andy Slattery, and ridden by his nephew Ben Coen, the four-year-old gelding was sent off a 9/2 chance, after going down narrowly over the course last month.

Dropped back to six furlongs today, the son of Lilbourne Lad was settled behind the leaders. He was ridden over a furlong out, and came with his challenge between horses inside the final furlong, getting up close home to win by a head.

The front-running Nigg Bay (9/1) was the one just denied, and he had to settle for second under Donagh O'Connor for Johnny Levins.

Top-weight Glenmoore was sent off the 2/1 favourite (from 3s), and he was another three parts of a length back in third, with Denis Linehan in the saddle for Fergal Birrane.

Brian Slattery, brother of the winning trainer and whose wife Eimear O’Brien is a part-owner along with Lynne MacLennan, said afterwards: "He's a good consistent little horse and stuck it out well. He got injured at Cork and we gave him a good break after that. He'll keep going now until he looks for a holiday."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D.E. Hogan, rider of See You Mush (GB) trained by Garvan Donnelly, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was bumped jumping out from the stalls and he lost his footing in a stirrup.

The Stewards enquired into an incident rounding the home turn involving Chicago School ridden by K.J. Manning and Quiet Company (GB), ridden by S. Foley where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee