Emperor lands gamble by a nose

Hi Emperor landed a gamble as he just held off Calling You to win the Marshes Shopping Centre Ladies Day Saturday 12th July At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane.

The gelded son of Choisir was available at 12/1 in a place last night, and he was well-supported throughout the day, opening on-course at just 5/1, before being backed into 3/1 favouritism at the off.

Drawn in stall two, the five-year-old bay victor was settled in mid-division and he was pushed along early in the straight.

He disputed the lead just inside the final furlong, and he had a great battle with Calling You (8/1), for Shane Donohoe and Colin Keane, from there, just prevailing by a nose at the line. Shabra Emperor completed the placings a further length and three parts back in third under Colin Keane for Oliver Brady, while the front running Cash Or Casualty had to settle for fourth.

Fergal Lynch said afterwards: "He is a nice horse with a lot of scope. I didn’t think I was up but look at the size of him, he has a big long neck and that helped!

"He got injured in January of 2013 here and he ran too free on his comeback at the Curragh."

Coincidentally the winners half-sister, Hi Empress, came out the wrong side of a photo finish at Tipperary yesterday evening, going down by a short head to Jembatt.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham