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O'Brien doubles up with Spycraft

Spycraft and Declan McDonogh (far) wins from NepalSpycraft and Declan McDonogh (far) wins from Nepal
© Photo Healy Racing

Joseph O'Brien notched a double on the card at Dundalk when Spycraft made a winning debut in the seven furlong maiden.

The Siyouni colt went to post a 10/11 shot and came to fight it out with fellow newcomer Nepal at the furlong marker.

Spycraft edged to his right in the closing stages, and the pair came close, before Declan McDonogh's mount got on top near the line for a half-length success.

The winner is out of an unraced granddaughter of Halfway To Heaven so is from the family of Magical and Auguste Rodin. He cost 310,000gns as a yearling.

McDonogh said: "He did everything right in the race, to be honest. I had cover, a nice position and travelled around sweet.

"I travelled up with Shane (Foley)'s horse quite well. The penny didn't really drop with him until I got stuck into him half a furlong from the finish and then he won snug at the line.

"He just didn't get the message until late, first time. I'd say there is bags of improvement in him - he's a nice type, he's quite sharp and he'll hopefully be nice.

"I was very strong at the line. I think when he learns to do it properly he could be a nice horse."

O'Brien had also won the fillies maiden with Sweet Illusions

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

1st
10/11Fav
Tote €1.91 €1.10
2nd
0.5L
17/2
€3.90
3rd
1.5L
7/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.