McGettigan shines as Eight hangs on

Eighty Eight just clung on at the line after an enterprising ride by Patrick McGettigan in the finale at Dundalk this evening.

The John Feane-trained gelding bounced out in front in the concluding ten furlong contest and had a healthy advantage at the halfway stage.

His rivals started to close going to the furlong pole but the 6/1 shot just held the late challenge of 3/1 favourite Beauparc to record a short-head success.

It was a second career success for Eighty Eight and his first since joining Feane. He had also won at Gowran Park back in June 2022. It was a fourth winner for Letterkenny jockey McGettigan.

Feane was leading up the winner and the successful rider said:-

"We looked at the form for the race and there was no real pace - Wrecking Ball Paul was the only one I could see, but I honestly didn't think he would be quick enough.

"The last day Rory Mulligan rode him and he finished second on him. I was talking to him before and he said he would have loved to have made the running and it would have suited him more.

"Today, I just let him free flow around the place, get him into stride, get him relaxed. He picked up great. He was very idle and there was a lot left, but it was great.

"I wasn't sure (if he had held on), I had the head down. Thank God we did."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)