Yale (navy) winds up to challenge under Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Donnacha O'Brien extended his lead to seven in the race to be crowned champion jockey for 2019, after he partnered Yale to a narrow success in the opener at Dundalk, the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Maiden.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the American bred son of Scat Daddy was a beaten favourite on his first two starts, finishing second on his latest try at Navan just last week.
Expected to make the breakthrough this evening, the bay colt was sent off the clear 2/7 favourite, dropping back in trip to five furlongs.
Settled behind the leaders, he was ridden to challenge on the outer over a furlong from home, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a head. My Excelsa (8/1) was the one just denied, with Gary Carroll aboard this Exceed And Excel filly for Johnny Levins.
Newcomer Sceptical (25/1) completed the places in third, another half a length behind under Joe Doyle for Denis Hogan.
"He's a grand big horse. He's had a few problems but he has plenty of ability when he gets it together," said Donnacha O'Brien.
"I didn't think he was going to draw there for a while but in the last furlong he got the hang of it and kept going.
"He's a big raw horse, still a bit unorganised, and there's plenty of improvement in him, I think.
"I travelled quite well and just when I asked him to quicken up he just took a while to get himself going.
"I thought over six the last day at Navan that he wanted five but there is probably a big difference between soft ground at Navan and five furlongs around here."
STEWARDS REPORTS
James J. Doyle, rider of Sceptical (GB) trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount missed the break.
O.J. Orr, rider of Midge Maisel (GB), trained by Sarah Lynam, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount reared leaving the stalls and missed the break.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
