Settle For Red and Connor King hold off Manorov and Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
It wasn't to be for Joanna Morgan's last runner as a trainer, the well-backed Red Castle who finished fourth in division two of the Follow Us On Facebook Handicap. This extended mile and a quarter contest went the way of Settle For Red who was bringing up a double for David Marnane and Connor King at Dundalk.
Victorious in the opener with Almadaa (9/2), this time King made all on the Marnane runner (8/1, backed from 14s earlier in the day).
Settle For Red gamely held off all challengers over the final two furlongs, and ultimately he contained Manorov by half a length.
"He did it well. I wanted to be third or fourth but he jumped out from a good draw and nobody wanted to go on. It worked out well and he's tough," explained King.
Meanwhile Joanna Morgan reflected: "I came with two that had good chances and they both ran well. I'm 40 years at it so I don't get disappointed.
"I'm looking forward to getting on with something else now. I'll have a life now and might even earn a few quid! I've no regrets."
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Jackie Ellis trained by Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung to the right.
(GC & EM)