Patience pays off with Ballaghkeen The stand’s side proved the place to be again at Navan this afternoon as Ballaghkeen was another to lunge late on the near rail, claiming the second division of the ten furlong handicap. Declan McDonogh got a good tune for Jim Bolger’s filly as she led close home to record a two-length win over Nottoohshabby on the far side. It was a breakthrough win for the daughter of Teofilo, who had shaped with promise on her return here last month but had finished well beaten at Down Royal last time. Travelling Head Lad Ger Flynn said: "We always liked her. "She had a bad injury in Dundalk last year - she slipped and fell before racing on the concrete in the stable yard. She injured herself, so that put us back. "It has taken her two runs to get confidence back. Declan was delighted with her (sixth, here) and she went to Down Royal and I don't think the track suited her. Ronan (Whelan) came in and said to draw a line through it, it just didn't happen. "Declan was confident today - get out smart, down the outside where the better ground is. She's versatile, she handles any ground. She finished out well. "He said she would get a mile and six (furlongs) no problem. "It's great to get it and the boss always had faith in her." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
