BARNHILL DANCER CLAIMS DUNDALK’S CARROLL MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

The final of the Paddy & Eamon Carroll Memorial was the undoubted feature of Saturday’s racing at Dundalk and Barnhill Dancer left it late to land the €3,000 prize at the expense of long-time pace-setter Ravenswood Roo.

Tahina Ross flashed from traps but he failed to match the early speed of Barnhill Dancer and Ravenswood Roo with the pair flanking the fast starter before going on at the turn. With the inside line in her favour, Ravenswood Roo moved on but Barnhill Dancer was always in her slipstream.

The order remained unchanged up front until the closing yards. Barnhill Dancer was still almost three lengths adrift as they straightened up for home but he rallied on the run in, getting up late to pick up his rival.

Val Rogers’ son of Droopy Got It and Cherbear got up to win by a neck in 28.97. Ravenswood Roo was second with a six length gap to Coolemount Blaze in third.