Dan scores with Relative ease at Kilkenny

Absent from these pages since filling many paragraphs during the wonderful career of the now retired Bees Honey, Ardcroney owner Martin McLoughney was back in the winning enclosure when latest recruit, Related Dan (Dan The Man/Eyeoweuzilch), scored a most game success on the early SIS meeting at Kilkenny on Wednesday.

Having just failed to convert in A5 grade last time when beaten less than half a length, a rise to A4 grade for that effort could have appeared a tough ask for the Matthew Ryan trained runner but Dan would dismiss that assertion when, following a smart break from Trap 6, he challenged for the lead in the early exchanges.

Narrowly headed approaching the first turn, his wider path to the back-straight would see him battling for second position as a leader towards the inside threatened to skip clear. Holding strong against a bump at this point, the McLoughney charge began to immediately reduce his arrears and would range alongside the pacesetter at the closing bends. Powerfully striking the front upon turning, he forged clear to the home-straight and despite ceding some late ground to a strong stayer, was never under pressure to convert in a one length verdict while posting 30.15 (-40).

That winning time will keep him in A4 grade for his next outing and with the morning fixtures in Kilkenny at such an early stage, it is difficult to fully gauge how the track is actually running in the morning hours and Related Dan can certainly post faster times. On the evidence of the pace shown along the back-straight in this latest victory, he can hold strong claims again next time.

 

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