Lunastar and Niall McCullagh beats Munfallet and Ross Coakley© Photo Healy Racing
Lunastar (6/1) stepped up on her course and distance second placing from November 7th to take the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap at Dundalk.
For trainer Paul Flynn and rider Niall McCullagh Lunastar got the better of favourite Major Power a furlong out.
The Vale Of York filly edged left briefly inside the final furlong and eventually held Denis Coakley's stable debutant Munfallet (9s into 7s) by a head.
“She ran a great race the last day and the handicapper left her alone, she was running off the same mark,” said McCullagh.
“I had a bit of a wide draw but I got forward and got a great pull into the race. I actually got there a bit soon.
“She got to the front, was a bit raw, and didn't know what to do. She went a bit left so I put my whip down and straightened her up.
“She's done well to hold on as Ross came at me quick. We lasted out. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards with her.”
D.P. McDonagh, rider of Avalanche (GB), trained by T.J. O'Mara, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got no run in the straight.
(GC & EM)
