Marnane eyes stakes race with Jakajaro after winning return

The David Marnane-trained Jakajaro held the rallying Genesis to make a winning return in the BetVictor Race at Dundalk.

Luke McAteer produced his mount to dispute travelling well going to the furlong pole and the Too Darn Hot gelding soon hit the front.

He was driven out in the closing stages as leader Genesis stuck on well to push him to a neck at the line.

The 7/2 winner won a Curragh nursery last July and was second to King Cuan in the valuable Goffs Sportsman's Challenge at Naas.

Marnane was full of praise for McAteer, saying: "He's a very good rider, obviously, and he's a great team player.

"This horse was gelded last year. He had run some fabulous races and he has a lot of speed and is a very good horse. He travels very easy and doesn't do a lot when he gets there. You could see that today halfway up the straight.

"There's no doubt he had a good juvenile campaign and ended up with a 93 rating - he was 93 doing a few things wrong.

"There's a nice Group 3 in Ascot in early May for him and there's a (Listed) race in Navan for him. We'll pick our spot and have a think about it."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)