Bolger lights up Friday fixture with treble

TRAINER Jim Bolger may be a rare visitor to Dundalk, but his horses are anything but that, as evidenced by three winners and a third on Friday.

The winners were Saafarr, in the Dundalk Business Club 2017 Maiden, Elusive Approach, who was ridden by Daniel Redmond, in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Handicap, and Ringside Humour, in the feature race of the night, the Parkview Provisions Handicap. Parkview Provisions are one of Ireland’s leading food suppliers.

The first and third of those winners were ridden by Jim’s son-in-law, Kevin Manning, and the second and third of them are owned by Jim’s wife, Jackie. Saafarr is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, which is enjoying a good winning run in Britain and Ireland.

Ringside Humour just edged out Usa, a ten-year-old that looked an absolute picture in the paddock, thereby just denying trainer Stephen Mahon a double on the night as he had earlier landed the five-furlong sprint handicap with Oneoveryou, who was ridden to victory by Conor Hoban.

The stable of Fozzy Stack has got off to a good start to the season and kept that going when Sirici won the opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, in the hands of apprentice Killian Hennessy.

Fozzy is in his first season holding the stable’s licence, having taken over from his father, the legendary Tommy Stack, and this was his fourth winner from just ten runners since March 26th.

The two-mile Kingbet Handicap - Kingbet have recently celebrated ten years in business - was won in fine style by the Tom Mullins-trained Repare Mon, who was ridden by very promising apprentice Sean Davis. Repare Mon had gained a first career win last Friday at Dundalk on her first try at 12 furlongs and this was her first run at two miles. She is clearly progressive.

Finishing in sixth was Scenic Star, who was ridden by Conor Heavey. It was Conor’s first ride in public and we wish him well for his future.

He works for Scenic Star’s trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The night was rounded off in some style when Sharjah gained a seventh Dundalk victory by making all and running on strongly in the Good Friday Greyhound Racing At Dundalk Stadium Handicap in the hands of Declan McDonogh.

Winning trainer Andy Slattery said that Sharjah ‘just loves good, fast going’ and ‘had been in good form at home’.

Andy has not been so frequent a visitor to Dundalk this winter but said that he will be having a runner at the next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday April 12th.

The feature race on the night is the €45,000 Avenue Inn Patton Stakes, a Listed Race, which has attracted a classy entry. The first race is due off at 6pm.