Pencil bounces back to form in Dundalk opener

Tracey Collins recorded her first winner of 2012 as her Pencil Hill bounced back to form to take the opening race, the five furlong Dundalk Apprentice Handicap, at the Co Louth venue this evening.

Having won his first two starts as a 2yo back in 2007, including a Listed contest at the Curragh, the son of Acclamation then finish fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Henrythenavigator.

After that excellent run he went off the boil and failed to score on his next eleven starts before he won a six furlong handicap at the Curragh in August of 2010.

He then lost form again and went on a winless run of eight until today's victory.

The 7yo gelding hinted at a return to form on his last run over the course in early December where he finished just under three lengths behind Moutain Coral.

Having raced in mid-division in the early stages he made progress under his rider Gary Phillips to move into fourth two furlongs from home. He then hit the front with a furlong left to race and kept on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths at the odds of 8/1. Copper Dock who led two furlongs out, had to settle for second under Colin Keane at 10/1 while the hat-trick seeking An Saighdiur was third a further length behind under Ross Coakley.

Gamble of the race Archers Road who was backed from 10/1 this morning into 3/1 favourite at the off for trainer Noel Kelly and Ray Dawson, edged left two furlongs from home and bumped into Sovereign Secure

After that he could offered no more and came home last of the twelve runners.

Winning trainer Collins said afterwards: "It's good to get off the mark. He showed the form he is capable of.

"He has been at sea for a while but Gary gave him a lovely ride. I put him in here to sharpen him up as he is a 7yo now. He had lost his way and I’m very pleased with him.

"I brought him here before and he didn’t handle the track so it was a nice surprise."

After the race the Steward's suspended Ray Dawson for five days after he was adjudged to have ridden his mount Archers Road carelessly after a collision with Sovereign Secure two furlongs out. (DM & GC)