No Trouble, far side, hangs on by a nose© Photo Healy Racing
Racegoers have been treated to several fantastic close finishes in Dundalk tonight and it was more of the same in race five as No Trouble held on by the narrowest margin for trainer Jerry Cosgrave.
Ross Coakley 's mount made good headway on the inner approaching the final furlong of this extended mile and a quarter apprentice handicap.
There were seven horses spread across the track with a furlong to race but it was No Trouble who soon took a narrow lead and was ridden by Coakley to go for home.
He kept going and just took the honours at 8/1 from the fast-finishing Turf Range who surged down the outside but came up just short at 6/1.
Ross Coakley said: “I couldn’t tell who won as we were so far apart. He had a good run the last day in first-time cheek-pieces and we had a good draw today.
“Trevor Whelan was very helpful to me as he rode him the last day and said to try delay your challenge a bit. He picked up really well for him the last day and there was a question mark whether he really saw out the full trip.
“I got a nice run around, he picked up well and I’d have felt hard done by if he was beaten as the second horse was so far away and he never got a chance to compete with him. It’s great that it has worked out.”
The Stewards enquired into an incident approximately two furlongs from the finish involving Shadow Seven (FR), ridden by A.C. Persse, and Super Sling (GB), ridden by A. Mackay, where it appeared Super Sling (GB) received a bump from Shadow Seven (FR). Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found A.C. Persse in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and having taken his record into account suspended him for one race day.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
