Gowran trainer enjoys winning week ahead of busy Christmas racing schedule

Weekly Racing Review

For the second time in a week, Gowran trainer Tony Mullins left Dundalk with a win on the board for Lahore Da King, this time at a price of 4-1 by a half a length from the 7-2 favourite Profit Surge trained by Gerry Keane. Victory arrived under 55-year-old claiming rider Iqbal Khan from Pakistan. The horse is owned by Khan’s son-in-law Mudassar Rafiq who was on hand to celebrate the victory. 

Former champion conditional jumps rider Jack Foley is quickly making a name for himself as a young trainer with the key support of noted point-to-point handler and horse trader Donnchadh Doyle. Foley, based in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, made it two juvenile winners in the space of a week at Dundalk when 100/30 chance Midnight Dusk collected the 6f maiden by over a length in the yellow and white colours of Doyle from 5-4 favourite This Guy trained by Danny Murphy. Rathmullan, Co Donegal rider Luke McAteer has had a good run of things of late and this was his 34th success of the year. 

Rising Dust made it four wins from his last five starts when packing too many guns in the Molony Cup Handicap Chase at Thurles, his second successive win at the Tipperary venue. County Carlow trainer Emmet Mullins prepared the winner with Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny rider Donagh Meyler taking the reins. 

Easiest winner of the day at Thurles was the Joseph O’Brien-trained Zeus Power who survived a blunder at the second last hurdle before going on to win the maiden hurdle (division 2) as he liked by 16 lengths.  This is a horse that should win plenty more races. Borris, Co Carlow rider Richie Deegan was in the irons on the 3-1 favourite, maintaining a productive relationship with the Owning Hill stable. 

Upcoming Fixtures

Leopardstown                Friday, December 26 (First Race 12.05pm)

Limerick                           Friday, December 26 (First Race 12.25pm)

Down Royal                      Friday, December 26 (First Race, 11.40am)

Leopardstown                Saturday, December 27 (First Race 12.05pm)

Limerick                           Saturday, December 27 (First Race 12.17pm)

Leopardstown                Sunday, December 28 (First Race 12.10pm)

Limerick                           Sunday, December 28 (First Race 12.30pm)

Leopardstown                Monday, December 29 (First Race 11.40am)

Limerick                            Monday, December 29 (First Race 12pm)

Punchestown                  Wednesday, December 31 (First Race 12.35pm)

Fairyhouse                       Thursday, January 1 (First Race 12.25pm)

Tramore                             Thursday, January 1 (First Race 12.05pm)

Cork                                    Saturday, January 3 (First Race 12.30pm)

Naas                                   Sunday, January 4 (First Race 12.25pm)