Great start for Joyce but Maggie just a little too strong

The Paddy Hassett trained Maggie Thunder (7/2 favourite) denied young Wesley Joyce a dream start to his riding career in the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.

Joyce, a graduate of the Moyross Youth Academy in Limerick, did nothing wrong for his boss Johnny Murtagh on Misterio (18/1), but they just had to yield to Declan McDonogh’s mount Maggie Thunder by a head.

Garrett Hassett, son and assistant, to the Clare handler and veterinary surgeon, said: “We were hopeful coming up - it’s a three and a half hours journey from Clare. Deckie seems to get a good tune out of her.

“She got an awful hike of 13lb after she won here in October and she got another 6lb for being second.

“She’s a very genuine, honest filly and we’ll see what is left for her here. She won’t go on soft ground and maybe she could go for some of the better handicaps during the summer off a light weight.

“Without this place she would have been in her box since September/October and wouldn’t have been back out until April so we are really appreciative of having Dundalk.”

(AM & EM)