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Rodeo Blues lands gamble to give McMonagle quick double

Rodeo Blues and Dylan Browne McMonagle Rodeo Blues and Dylan Browne McMonagle
© Healy Racing Photos

Well supported into 9/4f from twice those odds, the Joseph O'Brien trained Rodeo Blues justified the gamble when readily landing the J.J. Burke Peugeot Handicap at Ballinrobe.

Having shown promise on two previous starts in handicaps, the three-year-old Blue Point filly was clearly expected to take a significant step forward here.

Held up toward rear early on, McMonagle made headway into mid division over 4-furlongs from the finish.

Kicking on to lead around the outside into the straight, Rodeo Blues came over to the stands side but kept on well for a three-and-a-quarter length verdict.

Michael Halford, representing Joseph O'Brien: "She'd a couple of nice runs coming into this and it was a perfect race for her, three-year-olds only.

"She was a bit slowly away, but Dylan made a decisive move on her down the back straight.

"She has a tendency to lean left, but she's done it well in the end and is a filly on the upgrade."

Quotes by Mark Nunan.

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.40
2nd
3.25L
12/1
€4.60
3rd
0.5L
8/1
€2.70
4th
0.5L
7/2
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.