Joseph O'Brien made it 100 winners for 2019 on the Flat in Ireland when Dune Of Pilat won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF M´dn (DIV II) at Dundalk under Shane Crosse.

The 6/5 second favourite tracked the leader, was second halfway, and travelled well and led under two furlongs out.

Soon pushed along Dune Of Pilat kept on well inside the final furlong to beat Balmari (11/10 market-leader) by two and three parts of a length.

There was six and a half lengths then to third placer, Dandy Spirit

“Shane said today he travelled so much better and he kept quickening all the way to the line,” said stable representative Brendan Powell.

“They pulled a long way clear. He's a lovely big horse and hopefully he has a big future.

“Joseph has always liked him. He's come on from his first run here and no doubt he'll make up into a nice three-year-old. He's a big tall horse when you stand into him and he has a great temperament.”

T.E. Whelan, rider of Kerry Blue trained by Luke Comer, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stumbled when the gates opened.

(GC & EM)