Oliver to work on sharper starts from The Highway Rat Andy Oliver saddled a Dundalk double on Friday evening courtesy of nursery winner King Of Gosford and maiden victor Jack Red Cloud but had earlier experienced a frustrating defeat with slow-starting favourite The Highway Rat in the five-furlong conditions race. Five times a winner at the Co Louth venue, Bill Lee's mount stood in the stalls and gave away several lengths before going down by a neck to Harry's Bar. Oliver remarked: “I was very disappointed. He's been gelded this year and I think, like all these sprinters do, he's getting a bit relaxed. “He missed the kick, which wasn't a help, and then they came up wide and he got a bit delayed in his run. “I think he probably still could have won, it was a hell of a run but it's just disappointing as it looked like an opportunity missed. “To give away four lengths here over five furlongs if almost un-doable and just to be beaten a neck is a fair run. We'll come back to fight another day. “He'll come back for the Mercury Stakes and we'll try and make sure he's a bit sharper out of the stalls. If we can get that sorted out we're still on course. “I'm not disappointed with the run, just disappointed to miss a win. “You had Big Gossey, rated 109, and the winner was 101 so it was a fair contest and horses that were proven over five here. In that sort of race you can't afford to give away four lengths, or even a length. “When you take that all into account you have to say it was a big run, but big runs win and he didn't win. That's what bugs me.” Additional reporting form Gary Carson
