Mourinho sets Lynam's ball rolling

Meath trainer Eddie Lynam made a winning start to the new '09 Flat season, sending out Mourinho to win the opening Mullen's Go Racing Group Deals Handicap at Dundalk tonight.

Ridden by Kevin Manning, the son of Cape Cross missed the break but did eventually get into contention, eventually hitting the front a furlong out before scoring by half a length from Calm Bay

Afterwards Lynam reported "Mourinho should stay further (than this 5f) and will either run over 7f at Leopardstown or over 6f back here in a few weeks time."

Lynam also added "Mourinho's owner Shane Ryan (Kilboy Estate) is a big Chelsea supporter and names his horses after Chelsea connections. He has owned Duff, until his namesake was transferred out, then Mourinho, who then got the gate as manager, and on Sunday we have a filly called Dasha running; she is named after, Dasha Zhukova, Roman Abramovich's girlfriend!"