Plough Boy takes career score to nine

Top-weight Plough Boy narrowly took the opening L'Isle De France Handicap for Garvan Donnelly and Donagh O'Connor at Dundalk.

To his credit Bluesbreaker rallied well after being headed, but the always prominent racer failed by a head to get back to Plough Boy.

"It was a change of luck as we've been hitting the crossbar a good bit," said Donnelly.

"Donagh said the time before to drop him back to five. He has plenty of boot, we always thought he had plenty of boot.

"Sometimes when you change it around with the older horses it makes a bit of a difference and gives them a fresh lease of life.

"He did well to come from where he came from and Donagh gave him a great ride.

"He hasn't had a break, and generally he's a better horse on the grass, so we'll be aiming for that as well but we might sneak something else here first."

(GC & EM)