Cyrus Dallin and Denis Hogan before running in the 'Scotch Hall Shopping Centre Claimer' at Laytown - Alain Barr - 06.09.2018

Cyrus Dallin saves the day as Laytown celebrates 150th Anniversary

Laytown holds a unique place in racing as it's the only beach course in Europe.

With a seven furlong straight track and a safety limit of just ten runners, it attracts a fine attendance of racing fans and holiday-makers for the September meeting which is the only meeting of the year at the seaside venue.

As I journeyed to the track on Thursday in the company of a well known cross channel trainer - for whom it was a maiden voyage - my thoughts wandered back to happy bygone days when with family and friends who are now watching their racing from the grandstand in the sky Laytown was a annual pilgrimage. The toils of the day were all set aside and for the young folk, inflation could well be a mountain in Africa and Brexit a Russian ballerina for all we knew or cared.

Times have changed dramatically since but the racing is still the main focus of attention and travelling expenses have to be made. My travelling companion was very taken with the uniqueness of the place and was on good terms with himself when fellow cross channel handler Jamie Osborne rattled off a thre- timer, however, Denis Hogan saved the day for many by training and riding Cyrus Dallin to land the seven furlong claiming race in good style.

Having won twice for William Muir across the water, the four-year-old has slipped down the ratings somewhat. He looked to be racing off a very competitive mark with this very level track likely to be perfect for him. Early shows of 4/1 were quickly snapped up and he went to post a solid 9/4 favourite.

Although slowly away, Cyrus Dallin had made up the deficit by the time the halfway point was reached and when Hogan pressed the go button approaching the final furlong, the horse found plenty to land the spoils by a comfortable length and a half from Pulsating.

Claiming races are framed for horses near the lower end of the scale with the trainer effectively handicapping his own horse by the value he puts on them. If another trainer or owner is satisfied with the value put on a horse he can submit a claim for it but it must be done shortly after the 'winner all right' is announced. Hogan was hopeful that he could hold on to Cyrus Dallin but unfortunately a successful claim was lodged and the horse is now in new ownership.

 

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