McMonagle's patience rewarded as Lady Kai wins finale

Dylan Browne McMonagle rode a patient race on Lady Kai dropping in from a wide draw, before coming with a strong run in the straight to win the concluding Dual Racing Friday Nights Handicap at Dundalk.

From stall 17, the Donegal man elected to drop the Ross O'Sullivan trained filly out in rear in order to ride a waiting race.

Still nearer last than first over three furlongs out, McMonagle brought the 5/2f with a strong run up the inside to head leader Figurehead over a furlong out.

Despite getting lonely in front, the four-year-old kept on well inside the final furlong to beat Vivacious Lady by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

“That was great. Shane Foley rode her work the other morning and felt she was in great nick, he had to go to Newmarket today, ” said Ross O'Sullivan.

“This was the ideal race for her and she got a great ride. The plan was to be in the first four or five and going past the stands the first time she was third last.

“I thought 'were in trouble here' and was wondering if she wasn't handling the surface but he said they were just going too quick.

“He said there were a lot of horses in trouble half a mile out and she was only starting to get going.

"When she got upsides up the straight, she's really bred to stay being by Sea The Stars out of a mare who is related to Sir Percy. She has a great pedigree.

“It's lovely to win another one with her for her pedigree and Mick is delighted. He rang straight away.

“We might be able to squeeze another one out of her. I'm sure he's going to be covering her in the spring and she's a lovely filly to have.

“It all went wrong for her last year, she wasn't 100 percent and never happy in herself. She came back this year a far sweeter mare and has been very consistent in her last couple of runs.

“She was maybe a bit unlucky the last day in Navan.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.