De Coronado and Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Zenyatta's brother De Coronado (15/2 into 5/1) gave Michael Tabor his second Dundalk winner in as many races when winning the 8.30 for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan.
In this Dundalk Stadium — Light Up Your Night Race, De Coronado built and built down the outer in the straight. The big horse found full stride inside the last to dispose of World Tax War by two lengths.
Half-an-hour earlier it had been Sean Corby that carried home the famous blue and orange in front, aboard Ligeti He's trained by Aidan's son Joseph.
"I thought he'd win if I could get into the middle of the track where the quickest ground is," said Heffernan.
"He needs a dead level surface - he's a dirt horse. He's probably still a bit immature. He was a wee bit green and immature.
"He has an amazing pedigree but has let us down a bit before. I thought I'd win if I was able to get up the middle of the track with him."
The Stewards requested a report from A.P.O'Brien, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of De Coronado (USA), placed first, as compared with its recent run at Leopardstown, when finishing second last in a twenty runner field and was beaten by 14 lengths.
Pat Keating, Authorised Representative for the trainer, reported that this horse had previously shown a liking for this racing surface and track having won here before and felt a return to this venue had brought about the apparent improvement in form.
Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(GC & EM)
