Paene Magnus (inside) is driven out by Kevin Manning to beat Manalapan© Photo Healy Racing
The Jim Bolger trained Paene Magnus just got the better of Manalapan to win the Listed Carlingford Stakes for the second year in-a-row.
Ridden by Kevin Manning, the four-year-old son of Teofilo was sent off the 7/4 favourite for the one mile two furlong contest last year, but without a win in six starts since, he went off at 7/1 this evening.
The victorious chestnut colt made virtually all, and despite being strongly pressed by Manalapan (and possibly headed) from two furlongs out, he battled gamely in the closing stages to just prevail by a head.
Manalapan had to settle for second at 6/1 under Chris Hayes for Patrick Prendergast, while the 4/7 favourite (opened at 4/5 on-course), Alfonso De Sousa, was a further half a length back in third for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien.
Kevin Manning said afterwards: "He is a gutsy, tough sort, and that is his fourth win here.
"He (Manalapan) definitely joined me but I don’t think I was headed."
The winner is now four from five at Dundalk, with his only loss at the Co Louth venue coming earlier this month, when he found Cardinal Palace (finished sixth this evening) a length and a half too good.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
