Marsa (left) and Shane Crosse beating Hotrocket (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Marsa added to her fine record at Dundalk when landing the featured William Hill Racing Radio Rated Race. The Eddie Lynam-trained filly was recording her fifth win in the space of 12 months, with four of those victories coming on the polytrack.
The 8/1 chance was always prominent in this seven-furlong event, travelling smoothly to challenge over a furlong out before being driven out by Shane Crosee to beat Hotrocket by a neck. Benavente finished strongly on the outer to be just a nose back in third at 50/1.
Lynam said, "I thought the draw was a killer, but he's a very good rider. Chris Hayes usually rides her, but he is saving himself (getting married tomorrow).
"Shane was very good on her as I left it to him because of the draw. She travelled very well and seems to grow a leg here.
"There's a race over seven furlongs here just before Christmas, but we'll see."
Quotes by Michael Graham