DANNY Gilligan enjoyed a fine night at Ballinrobe last Friday when recording a double, including landing the feature event on Impero. The Cian Collins-trained gelding made his return from a break in the McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle and went to post a well supported 4/1 shot.
Gilligan was handy throughout and sent his mount on after the last to record a convincing two-and-a-quarter-length win in the two-miler.
It was the Angie O’Sullivan-owned winner’s first outing since finishing down the field in the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas and Gilligan said: “The break did him the world of good and hopefully he can come on again from that.
“I felt I had a lovely position the whole way around. I got into a great rhythm and my lad jumped super, and he dug deep to the line.”
Gilligan had also struck in the preceding Tim Kelly Maiden Hurdle on the Gordon Elliott-trained Arch Empire, who is owned by the Goldman Racing Syndicate. It was a similar story as the bay raced prominently and went on from the last to record a length-and-a-quarter win.
Gilligan said of the 3/1 winner: “We thought the nicer ground would bring out a bit of improvement and he came on nicely from the last day. He’s still a bit green and babyish. Hopefully there is a bit of fun to be had with him.”
Local luck
The big local crowd gave Tomas O Maille a great reception after his victory in the Lodge At Ashford Castle Handicap Hurdle. Mick Flannery’s charge was held up early by Ambrose McCurtin before travelling well to lead after the second last.
The 12/1 shot stuck on well from the last to record a length-and-a-half win over Love Like This. Flannery revealed afterwards that the Arakan gelding is named after former Mayo footballer Tommy O’Malley, who was on hand to welcome back the winner.
“We’re a long time trying to do it. We tried a few times last year, and it’s like the Mayo team – don’t give up! He called after the best footballer in the 70s, Tom O’Malley. It’s great to be able to do that here at Ballinrobe and Tom is here today. He’s a fun horse and he’s been knocking on the door.”
THE Whitegrass Racing Syndicate are also having plenty of fun with Straight Home, who scored again for the club in the Boylesports Mares Handicap Hurdle. Jody Townend did the steering again on the Willie Mullins-trained mare, who went to post a 5/2 favourite in the two-mile-and-five-furlong contest. She produced her mount with a strong surge to lead on the run-in and post a comprehensive four-length win over Jolie Jewel.
The winner was formerly trained by the jockey’s father Tim and she said: “That’s my third win on her now so she’s been good to me. We only cantered around, I thought we’d go an awful lot quicker, and she was loving it the whole way.
“When they came up around me I was happy enough to sit turning in and have something to aim at down the straight.”
In the other mares’ event, the opening Bowers Bar & Restaurant Maiden Hurdle, Miss Corby justified good support. The Mouse Morris-trained filly was backed from 16/1 into 11/4 favouritism and improved on recent showings back on better ground.
Harry Swan, carrying the colours of his grandad Timmy Hyde, came with a strong run to lead on the run-in and record a length-and-a-quarter success over Pure Logic.
“She missed the break and missed the first. It wasn’t the plan but he didn’t panic and plan B worked,” said Morris.
“The better ground helped big time. She ran well first time but then ran into all the soft ground and it just didn’t happen for her, she can be a bit buzzy as well.”
IT’S Time Again continued a fine run for Cork trainer David Barry when recording her third course success at Ballinrobe, in the Sherry Fitzgerald Mayo Handicap Hurdle.
John Shinnick produced the 9/2 shot to challenge at the last and she led turning for home in the two-mile-and-five-furlong contest. It’s Time Again rallied gamely frrom The Vegas Raider to secure a half-length win.
Barry, who has struck twice this month with Flemens Intrest, said: “They are just coming into form and when they’re in form everything comes easier. It’s great while it lasts.
“She kind of went out of form for a while and we changed a few things and got her back feeling good in herself again. She loves this place. The last time she ran in November (third at Gowran) we said on the way home that this is her place and we’d put her away. This has been the plan since and it all worked out.”
Patience pays
Tony Martin’s decision to wait on Jules Winfield paid dividends as the Enfield Bloodstock Syndicate-owned gelding ran out an impressive winner on debut in the concluding bumper.
Derek O’Connor gave the 9/1 shot a customarily well-judged hold-up ride, coming with a strong run in the closing stages to post a six-and-a-half-length win.
“We had him to a few places so he knew his job but coming here I thought the track would beat him,” said Martin.
“When I thought Derek could ride him early last week I was inclined to run him. I bought him as a breeze-up yearling, he was too big and no one wanted him as he was too slow as a breezer but this is always what was in my head so it worked out well.”