Ajax Tavern (left) and Dean Curran beating Timourid© Photo Healy Racing
Ajax Tavern made it two wins from as many starts at Dundalk this winter but for two different trainers when landing the Join Us On Instagram Claiming Race.
The son of Canford Cliffs provided apprentice Sean Bowen with a first winner when successful last month but was subsequently claimed out of Denis Hogan’s yard for €8,000.
Ger O’Leary got an immediate pay-back on that investment here with the five-year-old gelding never too far from the pace.
The 7/2 chance led early in the straight under Dean Curran, partnering his sixth winner, and was kept up to his work inside the final furlong to beat Timourid by a length - the pair stretching four lengths clear of Royal Tribute in third.
O'Leary said, "He did it nicely. We claimed him here in December and kept him going over Christmas. We only kept two or three going at home.
“I'm delighted that he put it to bed fairly well. I'll get profit on him if he's claimed, which is fantastic.
"Dean did a lovely job on him and hopefully he'll get a few more opportunities now. He's with me a year-and-a-half and he deserves to get some outside rides. He's got a good head on him and it's a good start for him."
Ajax Tavern was later claimed by James McAuley for €15,000, while runner-up Timourid was claimed for the same price to be trained by Paul Flynn,
McAuley also claimed fifth-placed Sister Rosetta for €10,000.
(GC & AM)
