Batt promoted after opener at Dundalk Buddy Batt (9/4, from 5s in the show) was promoted in the stewards' room after a tight finish to the opening sprint handicap at Dundalk today. Market leader Prairie Girl, the 2/1 favourite, was soon in front in the five-furlong contest and was asked for an effort passing the two pole. Buddy Batt came to challenge on the inner inside the final furlong and was hampered in the closing stages as Prairie Girl drifted over to her right. The verdict was a head at the line but the placings were reversed after the enquiry. Tracey Collins’ charge, ridden by Rory Cleary, was following up on his win here last month. Collins said:- "You always think that when it is somebody else's horse (placings would be reversed) but, when it is your own, you are worried. "On merit, I think he would have won and he is an improving horse. "He went up 8lb, so it was a good effort. "He's a very relaxed horse and he's a nice horse. "We are hoping that he will probably have another run here, but we would also be hoping that would get a turf and an all-weather mark. "He's a very kind horse and has a very relaxed attitude for a sprinter." Danny Murphy had said of Prairie Girl in the immediate aftermath: "It was the wind that blew him (Keane, across). He said to me that it blew him across, that one gust of wind. “She is going the right way, this filly. We'll keep her here, she loves it here. I'd say she would get six (furlongs) as well." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
