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Quirke doubles up as Dawn lunges late

Double for Cian QuirkeDouble for Cian Quirke
© Photo Healy Racing

Angels Dawn got on top close home to prevail in the three-mile handicap chase after another good finish at Down Royal this afternoon.

Promising 7lb claimer Cian Quirke recorded a double on the card as he conjured a late charge from the San Curling-trained mare.

The daughter of Yeats came to dispute two from home but Ballykeel had a narrow advantage jumping the last.

Angels Dawn dug deep on the run-in, however, getting on top close home to record a half length success at odds of 5/2.

Quirke said: "I've a lot of people to thank for it now, I suppose I will have to start with the Slatterys as they have been unbelievable to me this year. I'm with them the last five years and they have taught me everything I know. I can't thank them enough for it all.

"I had a spell with Sam and learned a lot there too. He was good to let me ride the mare today.

"I was down the inside but, as the race panned out, I got squashed in there. She was jumping and travelling and jumping too well as she jumped into the back of horses a couple of times. It might not have been any harm because I might have had to commit a bit sooner.

"I got a flier at the third-last and jumped into a horse and it probably gave her a bit more of a chance to take a step back and come around them. She galloped the whole way to the line and I'm pretty sure they will have plenty of fun with her.

"I missed the second-last which wasn't a help but I was always plenty confident going to it (last) that I had plenty of horse left, she only gets going the further you go.

"The ground being a bit quicker today than everyone expected was a help to her with top weight. She handled it no problem and she likes it softer too. We have options for her going forward.

"Yes, unbelievable (start to the year) - if you told me this a year ago, I don't think I would be here."

Quirke had also comes out the right side of a tight finish on The Gradual Slope earlier in the rated novice hurdle.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

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.