Blue colours Declan McDonogh wins the last race on Manzil© Photo Healy Racing
The last two races on Down Royal's Ulster Derby Day card went the way of former champion jockey Declan McDonogh, and he landed the finale, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden on Manzil
McDonogh got there late on his previous winner, Last Garrison but Dermot Weld's Manzil was tough for him from the front to beat Needs To Be Seen and Elysian Plains by half a length and a neck.
Manzil had a visor on for the first time, on this his third start.
"He jumped and he travelled, and the last day in Navan he was off it, he probably learned a good bit from Navan as he was finishing very well there," said McDonogh.
"The extra couple of furlongs now was a big help. You couldn't question his attitude, he saw them off one by one.
"He (Needs To Be Seen) probably joined me and that probably gave my fellow a bit of heart. His strongest was at the line. He might get a little bit further."
Meanwhile on Pat Smullen riding out at Dermot Weld's yesterday, McDonogh reflected: "I'm delighted, we had great craic! There was plenty of slagging!
"It was great to see him and he looks brilliant. He's very positive and we are all behind him. It'll do him good to do that.
"He (Dermot Weld) sent him down for a canter, he wouldn't let him ride work so he wasn't best pleased!"
R.P. Whelan, rider of Maunganui trained by Jarlath P.Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action in the last furlong.
(MG & EM)
