Dolly retains Irish Cesarewitch title digging in to hold off Scoby

SINGALONG DOLLY became the fourth multiple winner of the event when just holding off Radical Scoby to successfully defend her Time Irish Cesarewitch Open title with narrow victory in the €10,000 final over 600 yards at Mullingar.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Gilbert Anderson, Singalong Dolly (11/4) turned behind kennelmate Superfast Gorden and took over when the leader just hesitated slightly at the penultimate bend.

However, her supporters then had to endure the long run-in as Radical Scoby closed in, edging nearer with every stride but just failing by a head as the duo crossed the line, Singalong Dolly posting 33.62sec.

Superfast Gorden was a length and a half away in third with fastest heat winner and favourite Pennys Cailin never really a factor in fourth.

Singalong Dolly thus joins Roan Hurricane (1994/95) and Definate Opinion (2010/11) as a dual Irish Cesarewitch champion although Bonus Prince is still out in front with his incredible trio of victories (1996/97/98) when the event was staged at Navan. 

The consolation event went to Peter Divilly's Crafty Bondi in 33.73sec.