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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Ahyoka defies wide draw to claim Dundalk opener

Fri 25th Sep 2020, 17:01

AhyokaAhyoka
© Photo Healy Racing

Ahyoka showed plenty of toe to get over from a wide draw and claim the opening five-furlong handicap at Dundalk this evening.

Kieran Cotter 's charge had finished a close sixth on her handicap debut at the Curragh last month and went off a 15/2 shot tonight.

Colin Keane was soon prominent on the Zebedee filly and drove her into the lead under two furlongs out.

The grey kept on well in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-half verdict over Too Hard To Hold

“We were delighted with that. I couldn't believe she was 10/1 this morning given her good run at the Curragh,” said Cotter.

“She's been improving all the time and she was a good buy for €600 by Niall O'Callaghan down in Cork. He was up last week and will be thrilled that she's won.

“She was still a bit free, that was only her fifth run. Hopefully she'll be able to carry a penalty and go on again.

“We fancied her coming here, we thought if we got a low draw we'd be home and hosed. She was drawn on the outside but we told Colin to go forward.

“There was nothing for her immediately but we're in no panic, she'll be up and down here for the winter.”

1st
15/2
Tote €7.90 €1.90
2nd
1.5L
11/4
€1.60
3rd
0.5L
15/8Fav
€1.30
4th
nose
9/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.