Ellabella again shows her liking for the sand

Ellabella repeated the front-running tactics that were successful on her penultimate start here in October when again just holding on to take division one of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk.

The Andrew McNamara-trained filly was well-supported for this mile event shortening up before the off from 13/2 into 9/2 and benefitted from a well-judged ride by Wesley Joyce.

The four-year-old edged right under pressure inside the final furlong but just held on by a short-head from The Bog Bank Chica Power was a further length-and-a-quarter away in third.

McNamara said, “I'm delighted she got another one. She's had a couple of close finishes here, she was beaten by a head and won by a head. At least we came out the right side of it again.

“She's a genuine, tough filly. We had a couple of issues straightening her up, she used to hang a bit, but she's running a bit straighter now which helps.

“We'll keep coming back up here and hopefully we get another one out of her. She wouldn't necessarily strike you at home as one that would be for Dundalk but all her best form is up here.”

(GC & AM)