Shabra hits Dundalk for six

Shabra Emperor was the second course specialist to clock up another Dundalk win this evening as the Anthony McCann trained gelding provided a win for county Monaghan in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.

Ridden by Monaghan native Conor McGovern, the son of Holy Roman Emperor beat Knights Templar by a length to register his seventh career win and his sixth at Dundalk, half an hour after Hes Our Music rsquo;s own seventh success at the Co Louth venue.

Shabra Emperor provided McCann’s own second ever winner in December 2014, having taken over the trainers’ license from the late Oliver 'Up Monaghan' Brady three months earlier, and following today’s win reported “he’s been a very good servant and we were just a bit unlucky last week as we left it a bit late.

"Over the mile they went a wee bit slow for him and he was pulling too keenly. Everything worked out today and the only thing I was afraid of was the draw (3).

“The handicapper gave us a chance in fairness to him but he needed everything he got at the same time. He hasn’t run much during the year and the season is only starting here and we’ll keep him going.

“It was great to give Conor a winner as well - he’s a Monaghan man like myself so it’s good to keep it in the county!”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson