The Shane Donohue trained Sweeney Tunes proved too tough for 1/1f Dantes King to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Navan today.

Ridden by Davy Russell, Sweeney Tunes looked booked for second place when Dantes King (matched ‘in-running’ at 1.01) ranged up strongly under Davy Condon before the final flight.

Dantes King was not foot-perfect at the final flight and while the mistake was undoubtedly costly, in common with his most recent bumper run, Dantes King found less than expected inside the final furlong, with Sweeney Tunes battling better for a three parts of a length win.

A Stewards Enquiry was subsequently called into interference approaching the final flight but the result was never going to be changed (matched at 1.01 to keep the race).

Donohue subsequently described Sweeney Tunes as “ a lovely big honest horse.”

Thomas Weekes