Emphatic and Ross Coakley (left) collar Buachaill Oir (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Emphatic (6/1) won the concluding Join Us On Instagram @dundalk_stadium Handicap (Div II) as he wore down long-time leader Buachaill Oir (11/1) inside the final furlong.
Half a length was the winning margin with Sideshow Bob (5/1) back in third. The gambled-on 9/2 favourite Fascinating Spirit beat only one home.
Emphatic had gained a breakthrough win at this venue in November. Trainer John Larkin teamed up with Ross Coakley for that success and the pair also combined for a couple of wins in the closing weeks of 2020 with Foreign Legion.
A delighted winning rider Coakley remarked: “He’s done it well and I really appreciate the support of Breen White and John Larkin. We’ve had a lucrative winter campaign so far and John’s horses are in super order.
“This horse tries his heart out. The surface is riding a bit tighter with the rain and that’s probably why he lugged a bit right. I’d say he was feeling the surface a bit.
“He had form on soft ground and I’d say when he gets back on the grass with a bit of juice in the ground then there should be more to come.
“He runs very well at the Festivals, the likes of Galway (runner-up twice there in 2019), and the owner loves being part of those Festivals so I’m sure he will be aimed at them again.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
