Ellabella records fourth Dundalk success with gutsy display

Ellabella made most of the running and kept on strongly to hold off a host of late challengers in the concluding William Hill Racing Radio Handicap at Dundalk.

Well away under jockey Jack Kearney, the Andrew McNamara trained mare led after a furlong and showed her customary battling qualities late on.

It was a fourth course win for the mare, a second with Kearney in the saddle. Kearney, who has really come of age over the last year, was riding his tenth winner since January.

“She's a hardy filly and she loves the game. We got everything our own way out in front and she picked up nicely,” said Kearney.

“As they challenged she pricked her ears and went on again. That's the way she loves to be ridden.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson