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Cuban collects for McKenna

Cuban Grey and Luke McAteer Cuban Grey and Luke McAteer
© Healy Racing Photos

Cuban Grey produced a fine front-running performance to land the spoils in the five furlong handicap at Dundalk, for Patrick McKenna.

Luke McAteer got the 22/1 shot to the front from his wide stall and he bossed things from there.

The grey kicked a few lengths clear early inside the final furlong and held the late charge of Collective Power to record a half-length victory.

It was a seventh career victory for Cuban Grey, and his fifth for McKenna. It was a double on the card for McAteer, who had also scored on Jamestown in the seven furlong maiden.

McKenna said: "He enjoyed bossing them - all ours were a wee bit flat this past while. The one (Battle Borne) in the first race was second and ran a nice race, so they are coming back.

"What he does is break well from the stalls. He had a bad draw, so Luke decided to try and get him out and get him into a good position. He probably didn't realise he was as far in front, but he needed it in the end.

"He ran well to the line, so it gives him a nice summer scheme. We will follow the same route as last year and maybe go to the Curragh with him, that's the plan.

"That's a big boost for him, even a confidence booster for him and for us all!

"He's a smashing horse and he gives it his all. Luke did the fractions well. He texted me earlier in the week for the ride and is a smashing lad.

"Conor (McKenna, son) never misses it. He'll be jumping around the bed in Australia, it's late there!"

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

1st
22/1
Tote €31.10 €3.00
2nd
0.5L
13/2
€2.30
3rd
2L
14/1
€3.40
4th
1.5L
9/1
bf
1.5L
7/2JFav
bf
hd
7/2JFav
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.