Crafty Hugo and Dylan Browne McMonagle lead home Alfirak and Vanessa Maye© Photo Healy Racing
Crafty Hugo recorded his first success on his sixteenth start, as he took the first divide of the irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
Previously trained by Liam Cusack and Fozzy Stack, the 40 rated son of Mastercraftsman had his first start for Dermot McLoughlin at Navan early last month.
Sixth on that occasion, he again finished sixth on his most recent outing at the Curragh, and he was sent off a well-backed 7/1 chance this evening (opened on-course at 10s).
Settled towards rear by Dylan Browne McMonagle, losing his ten pound claim after partnering his third winner, the four-year-old grey got a nice run through on the inner from early in the straight.
He was ridden and got to the front from the furlong pole, keeping on strongly from there to register an easy three and three parts of a length success. Alfirak who was sent off the 9/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Vanessa Maye for Damian English, while Loaded (5/1) was a further length and a quarter back in third, with Stephen Mooney aboard this one for Adrian McGuinness.
"It's only his third run for us. We weren't 100 percent sure he'd enjoy the surface but he obviously did and Dylan said he enjoyed it," said McLoughlin.
"He sprinted well from the furlong pole. He said he got a bit of room, gave him a squeeze and he went away with him.
"We're only finding our way with him, it's only the third run, and we've been running him over different trips. He seemed to stay well there at the mile and that's probably his trip."
The winner is owned by the DOCK Partnership of which Racing TV presenter Gary O'Brien is a member.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
