Hook Head stays on best for Kevin Manning © Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Hook Head (14s into 15/2 in the show) won the Donaghmore Handicap (Div II) for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
The Fastnet Rock gelding was slowly away and got an early reminder before moving up to race in second.
He led entering the final quarter mile and kept on well to repel the challenge of White Desert (14/1) by half a length. Allora Yeats (9/1), who lost even more ground out of stalls than the winner, came home well for third.
The 4-year-old is the eighth winner out of his dam, Dance Troupe, with Ballysax Stakes winner Puncher Clynch being the most noteworthy of them. Vultan showing favourite at the time at 7/2, was withdrawn at the start having refused to load resulting in a rule 4 deduction of 20 cents in the Euro to all bets.
Winning rider Kevin Manning commented: “He stepped up from his Dundalk run. He wasn't beaten that far then in his first handicap, he's come forward from it and done that well.
He had little flickers of form and has maybe turned a corner. Stepping up another furlong today was even a help to him.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
