Jaafel sees out ten well to bag fourth Dundalk win

Jaafel powered clear in the closing stages to run out a cosy winner of the 47-70 handicap over ten furlongs at Dundalk.

The James McAuley-trained gelding was held up towards rear in the early stages as the leaders set a strong pace.

Joey Sheridan made ground on the outer in the straight on the 5/1 shot and he was still travelling well as he challenged a furlong-and-a-half from home.

Sheridan asked his mount to quicken going to the furlong pole and he soon settled matters as he went on to record a four-length win over Banana Three

It was a fourth win at the track for Jaafel, with his previous three victories coming at a mile.

McAuley said: "We weren't sure (about the trip), we ran him over it once in a claimer over in Sligo and it was just a messy race and it didn't look like he stayed.

"He is much better up here.

"Joey has been on the phone saying 'let me on him, let me on him - I'll win!' He hasn't ridden him since he was with Denis (Hogan).

"He ran an absolute blinder last week in a much better race. He actually wasn't getting in last week and I didn't want him to run last week. Someone pulled out at the last minute and last week probably sharpened him up a little bit.

"For sure it gives us more options over the winter series. No doubt about it, he will be kept busy. We took him for up here.

"I think that tops last year - we had 23 winners last year and that is 24 now and we only have three lads riding out, so we are a small team."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)