A plunge on The Frog Prince was narrowly foiled by Mutasareb in the apprentice handicap at Dundalk.
The Frog Prince, trained by Sabrina Harty and ridden by Gary Carroll, has been off the track for 875 days, but was backed from 16/1 in the morning down to 7/1. He opened at 11/2 on course and was supported down to 4/1 second favouritism.
The Frog Prince and Mutasareb fought out a battle in the last half furlong with the latter prevailing by three-parts-of-a-length with Shane Gray in the saddle at the rewarding odds of 25/1 for trainer Andrew Oliver. He paid 39.10 euro on the Tote. Solar Event for Jim Bolger and David Parkes took third place at 14/1 (7s in the morning). She was beaten two-and-a-half-lengths by the runner-up.
“He’s a big horse and he’s ex-Darley. He didn’t handle the ground and needed the run at Navan, but he travelled really well tonight,” trainer Andrew Oliver said.
“Shane said he would have the toe to come back in trip to one mile two furlongs. He gave him a very good ride.
“He is joint owned by Paul Hardy and myself. Paul is from Kilkeel, Co Down, and is an electrical retailer. It has worked out well as he brought his staff here on a work night out tonight.”
Mutasareb was trained last season in England by Saeed Bin Suroor. This was his second start for Andrew Oliver. He finished 16th at Navan in a two mile maiden on debut for the Tyrone-based trainer. Star Of Aragon was sent off 3/1 favourite for trainer James Nash, but finished sixth. At the track there was also money for Chaparro (10/1 to 7/1). He was always in rear and came home 11th.
Michael Graham
