Praying Mantis made a winning start for the team when landing Division 1 of the Pat Smullen Coast To Curragh Cycle Handicap at Gowran Park on Wednesday night under stable apprentice Adam Caffrey.
Speaking afterwards, Ado said, “She was a very cheap purchase in Newmarket for four grand. She’s won around here before and had solid enough form before losing her way a bit.
She did that well enough and you won’t see her again until Laytown. Mark Devlin and the lads just love Laytown. She’s a fun horse and Adam gave her a great ride.”
I gave her another little break and she was game there today. Rory gave her a great ride. I said there is only one way to ride this track on this ground and if you are not up in the top four or five you are in trouble.
Des Whyte, a local guy from Skerries, has her in partnership with my wife and it’s the first time he’s been involved. It’s great for him to get his name on the scoresheet. She’s entered up in the Curragh and Dundalk so we’ll see.”