Daler wins at Dundalk for Avondale legend David Spratt

Daler, named after one of Avondale's most iconic members, the late Chris Herlihy and sporting the silks of long time club legend David Spratt - got off the mark at Dundalk this afternoon in the first division of the one mile Halloween Mid-Term Racing At Dundalk Handicap.

The Dark Angel gelding wasn't winning out of turn, he'd been placed five times prior to today. 

He finally shed his maiden status at the tenth attempt this afternoon. 

Today's victory sparked off some poignant memories for those involved with the tightly knit club.

His fifth anniversary was at the start of the month and today's victory at Dundalk will have gone down particularly well with club members. 

Chris Herlihy was one of the founding members of Cork City FC, and was a huge driving force behind Avondale United. 

He served as vice-chairman at Cork City, and his invaluable contribution and insight on club committees was instrumental in Cork City lifting their first league title.

His involvement behind the scenes with Avondale was equally invaluable. 

They enjoyed huge success in the Munster Senior League and also in the FAI Intermediate Cup. 

Chris was fiercely passionate and his dedicated commitment to the club was steadfast. 

He was a very popular figure right across the spectrum in the world of domestic Cork football.

Daler's Achilles heel prior to today were his tardy starts - forcing him to concede quite a bit of ground to his rivals. 

Gary Carroll was cognisant of this tardy trait and had him away on level terms today. 

He produced the 5/2 favourite to dispute proceedings approaching the distance a furlong. 

He got quite close to Comfort Line as he assumed control over a furlong out. 

Daler stretched clear to record a facile four length success. 

He might run again here next Wednesday. He looked a picture today before the race and Ger Lyons believes he's finally fulfilling the potential he showed in a hot maiden as a juvenile at Gowran, when just behind a 92 rated colt.

It was written in the stars, that five years after the sad passing of Chris Herlihy that a horse named in his memory would deliver at Dundalk on an afternoon when a rainbow illuminated the County Louth venue and provided a crock of gold for Avondale club members.

The winner was 5/1 this morning and was nicely supported into 5/2.

Avondale punters who invested today might push their chips in again next Wednesday when he's likely to run again.