Thumbs up from Emmet McNamara after riding out his claimaboard Angela's Dream in the nursery© Photo Healy Racing
Emmet McNamara rode out his claim as Angela’s Dream, runner-up in three of her previous five races, gained a deserved win by gamely holding off Clancy Avenue in the Cruise Nursery Handicap at Down Royal.
The 5/1 joint favourite was prominent throughout, and got the better of a final furlong duel with the 8/1 topweight by a neck, the pair drawing five lengths clear of Lake Louise (20/1) in third.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons said, “That was a very important winner as Emmet has now lost his claim. That was one of our targets this year. It is the first winner for the syndicate (RMS Racing) and there are nine of them, mainly from Dublin and Kildare.
“She had plenty of weight and needed Emmet’s 3lb claim. She’s been very honest all year and looked a million dollars today. She’ll go for a nursery in Dundalk either over six or seven furlongs, she can certainly win over six.
“There is a lot of Group horses coming out of Dundalk, and Aidan (O’Brien) is copping on to there now.“
(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
