Charming Kid and Barry McHugh© Photo Healy Racing
Clogherhead Louth native Richard Fahey sent Charming Kid back to his native 'wee county' to hack up in the J Duffy Services Race under Barry McHugh.
Of course Fahey has forged a hugely successful training career for himself at Musley Bank, Malton, North Yorkshire, and here he provided McHugh with a first Irish winner on his initial visit to Dundalk.
McHugh hails from Dungannon County Tyrone and he enjoyed an armchair ride as the 99-rated 6/4 favourite Charming Kid hacked up by two and three parts of a length from Empire Line
“He's quite a decent and was just a bit better than them tonight,” said McHugh.
“He's a quite quick horse and he could always come back to five as well. He's got loads of toe.
“It was a steering job to be honest. I got a nice tow into it and he was pulling double two down. I let him go a furlong-and-a-half out and he quickened up nicely.
“He's only getting better as well. I think he probably should have won the last time as well and it was probably my fault.
“It was nice that they've kept me on him and I was able to repay them.
“He was campaigned highly last year and it's nice to get his head back in front. He'll definitely go on.
"That's my first winner in Ireland. I've had a couple of rides up the Curragh before."
At the request of the Stewards, M.A. Gallagher, rider of Pass The Vino trained by D.J. Bunyan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well into the straight, changed legs and lost action.
P.A. Harnett, rider of Lavengro Lad trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right in the straight.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Pass The Vino, trained by D.J. Bunyan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame right front post race.
(GC & EM)
