Just Brilliant (blue) beats Kudbegood (far side)© Photo Healy Racing
The Sarah Lynam-trained Just Brilliant got home in a tight finish to the mile handicap at Dundalk.
The winner had been a drifter this morning, from 9/2 out to 13/2, but was well backed into 11/4 at the off.
Ben Coen produced his mount to challenge inside the final furlong and he edged ahead in the closing stages to post a neck success over Kudbegood
There was just a further head back to the third-placed Ranger Bob
Just Brilliant had been runner-up on his most recent outing at the track in November.
He was recording his first win since scoring on his debut for Peter Chapple-Hyam as a juvenile in October 2017.
Lynam, “He used to be racing against the likes of Roaring Lion and Masar and has come down a lot in the handicap. He was quite sulky when I got him and I probably overdid it sweetening him up.
“He warmed to the task a bit the last day and I was hopeful that he’d run well today.
“He’s quite keen and needs a decent pace but I think they slowed it down a bit. Hopefully there is another one in him and it’s a nice way to start the year.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
