Horse Racing column with Crepello
Denis Hogan is certainly enjoying a purple patch at the present time with his dual purpose string.
He saw out the old year in a blaze of glory with a winner at Punchestown on New Years Eve and just a few days later saddled his first winner of 2019 at Dundalk.
The Trans Island gelding Barna Venture set the ball rolling with the trainer himself in the plate he ran out a comfortable winner of the extended two mile handicap chase.
A well supported joint favourite, Barna Venture was never too far out of his ground. He took over on the run to the final fence and drew steadily clear to defeat fellow joint favourite Whatsinthecorner by four and a half lengths.
In his post race remarks, Denis Hogan reported that the horse which is owned by his neighbours Brid and Frances Collison could be difficult but he is settling better now.
It was back to level for Denis Hogan on Friday night at Dundalk when he took the opening five furlong handicap with Amanaat.
An 8/1 chance the Exceed and Exclel gelding had a wall of horses in front of him with a furlong and a half to run but he finished like an express train to lead in the shadow of the post and win going away by a length and threeparts from the Andy Slattery trained Smart Stinger.
It proved to be a night to remember for nineteen-year-old Emma Doyle as she partnered her first winner on her first mount when Northern Surprise finished with a wet sail to defeat stable companion Spanish Soprano by a neck.
Emma is the daughter of well known trainer Tim Doyle from Moyne near Thurles. Her mother Claire is also a noted horsewoman so racing is in her blood. Emma is a second year student at Maynooth where she is studying Business and Marketing.
She was coolness personified aboard Northern Surprise in this mile handicap as she settled him at the rear of the field before coming wide into the straight and under a hands and heels ride defeated Spanish Soprano by a neck.
Already a three-time winner over the course, Northern Surprise has shed some of his ability but the age old adage horses for courses certainly rings true on this occasion. Emma is taking all the fuss in her stride and is determined to finish her degree before making any decision about her future in the saddle.
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