Porsche Lad justifies strong market support in Dundalk finale Reserve Porsche Lad justified strong market support, as he got up in the final strides to take the concluding Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap. Trained by Sean Davis and set to be ridden by the Maynooth pilot, Giselles Defence (coughing) was taken out earlier in the day. This allowed the Charles Byrnes-trained victor to get a run, with Davis then declared to partner the four-year-old chestnut. Available at 4/1 in early shows for this extended mile-and-a-quarter contest, the Cotai Glory gelding was eventually returned the clear 6/4 favourite in the colours of owner David Fowler. Soon settled behind the leaders and taking closer order in second approaching the straight, he was ridden from the two-furlong pole. While the response wasn't immediate, the market leader eventually got going inside the final furlong and edged to the front with less than 100 yards to go, holding off the effort of Moondharrig by a neck. The runner-up was returned an 11/2 chance under Wesley Joyce for Eoin Doyle, while the front-running Candidly (7/1) folded late on and was a head away in third. "Jeez he toughed it out. I thought when they came around me, I felt I was going to get beaten. When the horse came up on my outside, he toughed it out and got up and did it for us," Davis reflected. "I planned to make the running, I didn't see a lot of pace beforehand. I didn't jump as well, a couple came round me and I was happy to let them have it. "We steadied it up and a little bit disappointed when we came back, my lad just grinds it out. Thankfully, I got a split sort of turning in and I was able to make up a bit of ground and it made all the difference. "Paddy (Harnett on Candidly) rides a clever race and he is very good on the front end. When he skipped away, I didn't think we would get him but thankfully we did. "He did (give him his first win as a trainer) - he's a solid horse, loves the all-weather and I'd say he is progressive. Hopefully, there is a bit more there but it was lovely to get on him and ride a winner tonight. "I think he gets the mile and a-half. Earlier in the year, we thought we would be winning a mile and a-quarter and stepping up. Hopefully there is more to come when he steps up." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
