All Class with owner/trainer Rona McNally (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Armagh trainer Ronan McNally sent out his second winner of the week when All Class clung on for victory in the 1m4f handicap.
Easy to back at 12/1, the seven-year-old mare tracked the leaders before coming through to gain a narrow advantage a furlong out. S'all Good Man threw down a strong challenge on the rail as the line approached but All Class, under 10lb claimer Danny Gilligan, prevailed by a nose. Observing was a further two and a half lengths back in third in a race which had six going-related absentees.
All Class was winning for the third time on the level to go with three victories over jumps.
McNally's Petrol Head will bid to follow up Monday's win at Roscommon when she runs under a mandatory penalty at Kilbeggan tomorrow evening.
McNally said; "It was a disaster in Down Royal the last day (when she was withdrawn), it was nobody's fault and was just the way it unfolded. She was left until last and got loose and upset and it didn't work - it was one of those things.
"I went down to the start myself today and she was tricky again but the stalls men did a fantastic job, because most people would have given up. They put the hood on her, I led her in and they gave her a good push.
"Danny was riding last year with Tubs (McNally's son) at the pony racing and is an exceptional talent. Claiming 10 (pounds) is like gold.
"We wanted to get a nice run into her today to build confidence and the plan was to get a nice run and everything else was a bonus. We'll give her a few weeks now and pick something, it could be anything - you wouldn't know with me."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
