THE success of San Salvador (11/2) in the feature Download The Tote App Handicap was the highlight of a double for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle.
A Grade 3 winner over fences, the versatile Annus Mirabilis Syndicate-owned nine-year-old raced mainly in second, improving to tackle the front-running Cristal Clere on the approach to the straight. Soon on terms with that rival, he edged to the front with over a furlong to go and kept on well when ridden, coming home a length and three quarters to the good.
“He’s an absolute legend to ride. He’s so straightforward, he jumps and travels,” the winning rider enthused.
“For a horse that stays so well he’s got a good turn of foot. I knew I was always going to quicken up a little bit better than the leader did. Joseph places him well and he’s able to turn up every time.”
Support justified
O’Brien and Browne McMonagle had earlier claimed the Tote Never Beaten By SP Maiden with the well-backed Kashel Spring. Available at 13/2 in early shows, the 69-rated victor eventually went off at 3s in the colours of the Dr Dean and Mrs Harron Partnership.
Settled in mid-division before taking closer order on the outer with three-furlongs to go, the Australia-sired bay was pushed along to lead approaching the straight. Ridden clear from the furlong pole, she came home five lengths in front of 5/2 favourite Minella Study.
“We were confident she would take a step forward and be competitive. There’s a little ease in the ground as well which definitely helped,” Browne McMonagle reflected. “She’s a very straightforward filly and has a good attitude.”
WITH the upcoming Galway Races very much on his agenda, Buddy One got a confidence boosting win to his name in the concluding Tote.ie Maiden. Owned by Tom Quinn, John Joe McGrath and Eddie Lynch, Paul Gilligan’s high-class performer over flights was sent off at 4/1 for this extended mile-and-a-half contest.
Settled behind the leaders by Rory Cleary and pushed along to take closer order from the three-furlong pole, the eight-year-old was ridden and gained a narrow lead approaching the straight. Kept up to his work, he fought off the persistent challenge of debutant So Golden, with a length between them at the line.
“Paul isn’t here tonight, he had runners in England,” Cleary reported. “He said to buck him out good and smart and hopefully his class will be good enough to do him justice and he was right.
“He’s getting on in age and when he gets to the front he just does enough. He’s in good order.”
Back-to-back wins
Also returned at 4/1, Steps In The Sand led home 13 rivals in the Tote Multiples Available On Tote.ie Apprentice Handicap. Following up on a recent Bellewstown win, the Ciaran Murphy-trained six-year-old was settled behind the leaders by talented apprentice Patrick McGettigan.
Pushed along from the three-furlong pole, the 53-rated bay soon swept to the front and skipped a few lengths clear when ridden on the approach to the straight. Kept up to her work in the closing stages, she held off the effort of Bhean Saibhre (3/1 favourite), who met with trouble in running, by half a length.
“It’s taken a little while for us to get the hang of her, but she’s come good in the last month or six weeks,” Murphy, who trains the winner for the Zoom Buddies Syndicate, revealed. “We were hoping she’d follow up today as she’s been really well at home, we were very happy with her.”
DARTING around the tight confines of the inner loop, Grizabella (9/1) made all and trounced her eight rivals in the Tote Guarantee Available On-Course & At Tote.ie Handicap.
A beaten favourite when last seen over flights at Cork, the Paul Flynn-trained six-year-old was ridden by Robert Whearty in this extended mile and a furlong heat. Asked to lengthen from the two-furlong pole, the 62-rated bay soon extended her advantage, eventually easing to a 10-length win for the GMW Aintree Ninety Nine Syndicate.
“I don’t know what the handicapper does now but she’s obviously not improving that much. Ballinrobe can throw up results like that,” Flynn explained. “I think the mile-and-three in Galway would be too far for her, but she might run in it just for the day out. If there was something after it, I’d probably prefer to wait.”
Owner rewarded
Galaxy Wonder (7/1) was another to dominate from the front, with this Andrew McNamara-trained gelding taking the Follow Tote On X Handicap in a first-time visor.
An encouraging third when last seen, the 53-rated bay given a no-nonsense ride by Nicola Burns and made the most of his inside draw, blazing a trail out in front. Ridden on the approach to the straight, he found plenty for pressure, holding off the late surge of outsider Boyne Valley by a diminishing half a length.
“I have the most enthusiastic owner in Dessie Kelly. He gave a few quid for the horse and he hadn’t produced a whole lot until his previous run at Limerick,” McNamara commented. “I’m absolutely delighted for Dessie and really appreciate him.”
Bucaneer back in front
Half-a-length was also the margin of victory in the opening Tote.ie Claiming Race, with the Jack Davison-trained, Staton Flurry-owned Bucaneer’s Spirit justifying 11/8 favouritism in this seven-runner heat.
Settled behind the leaders by James Ryan, the 74-rated bay was angled off the rail from the two-furlong pole and soon improved to challenge. Leading on the approach to the straight, he soon skipped a few lengths clear and was ridden out to hold off the late effort of Captial Theory.
The winner and fourth (Captain Hanley) were later claimed by the M8 Syndicate and Eamonn O’Connell for €12,000 and €7,000 respectively.