Gougane Barra and Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Michael Halford followed up his success in the previous race with Isosceles when Gougane Barra landed the GO Service Station & HGV Yard Dundalk Handicap.
That moved Halford on to the 11-winner mark for the winter series, 3 behind Joseph O'Brien, and Gougane Barra was following up on a course and distance win from a fortnight back.
Backed from 7/2 into 9/4, market-leader Gougane Barra veered left a furlong out, but he found enough to defeat Suntory Times and Voyageofdiscovery by three parts of a length and half a length.
For winning rider Ronan Whelan this was a first success in Ireland since October 21st.
He ended up on the injured list when riding in Dubai and he was edged out by a neck in the previous race on this programme. Whelan was aboard Tony Mullins' Oneiroi there, owned by his mother Kathleen.
“He did well from the wide draw. Ronan did well on him, he'd ridden him before,” said Halford.
“It's a good trip for him and he likes that surface. He's a big horse and as I said the last day when he won, very few would have had the patience to wait as long on him but Paul's (Rooney, owner) a great man and has got his reward.
“We'll just keep tipping away with him.”
On the drifting in closing stages the Copper Beech Stables operator reflected: “I don't know why he did that, he doesn't do it at home.
“He still hasn't much mileage on him and he's probably still a bit green when he got to the front and had a look.”
The Stewards enquired into an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Gougane Barra (USA), ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed first and Masalai ridden by O.J. Orr, placed fourth, where it appeared that Gougane Barra (USA) ducked unexpectedly when the whip was applied. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was accidental in nature and took no further action.
(GC & EM)
