Malvadilla and Eddie Ahern came with a perfectly-timed run to head a gallant Golden Fact close home to land the Blackrock Maiden for David Hanley at Dundalk last evening.
"I had no intention of running her until I saw the ground was described as good to firm on Tuesday," said Hanley.
Jimmy Swift, the warm even money favourite to open his account for Noel Meade and John Murtagh, finished a disappointing six lengths adrift in third and was later found to be lame by the Turf Club veterinary officer.
The father and son team of Dessie and Declan McDonogh teamed up to land the Omeath Handicap with Royal South, who swept to the front after the two furlong pole to beat Tifosi and John Murtagh by two lengths.
"Declan could have ridden four of them in that race but he stuck with our own," said the winning trainer. Danny Grant brought his winning tally to nine courtesy of the Pat Flynn-trained Dromhall Lady, who forged to the front inside the final furlong to beat Iftatah by a length and a half in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
