Conor Hoban, Whatharm and Eoghan Norris© Photo Healy Racing
On the night when an enjoyable Pat Flynn feature went to air on Racing TV, the inimitable Ballingara Stables operator appropriately struck with the likeable Whatharm in the Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Handicap.
Nine to four favourite Whatharm now has six Dundalk successes under his belt, to add to a Gowran victory from summer 2019.
Again with Conor Hoban in the plate the Canford Cliffs gelding raced in the rear of mid-division on the inner and he took a keen hold.
The six-year-old made headway two furlongs out, and pushed along he improved to lead under a furlong out. Ridden and staying on well inside the final furlong Whatharm beat Major Power by three parts of a length.
“That was brilliant. He did it again, stepped up in class with 10 stone on his back,” said Hoban.
“He loves that trip, where they go hard, and loves being ridden that way.
“Credit to the boys, it takes some doing to keep a horse like him in such good nick. He keeps pulling it out and improving and he's not finished yet.
“We were joking a few runs ago about going to Dubai but he could be a nice horse and is definitely worth minding now.
“He's going to be rated close to 100 after that. I'll leave the plans to Pat but with those good ones you have plenty of options.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fridtjof Nansen (GB), trained by Kieran P. Cotter, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
