AFTER the impressive success of Make Me Smile at Tinahely a fortnight earlier, Michael Murphy unleashed another exciting prospect in the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.
The debutant Quest For Answers (6/1 – 7/1) made virtually all in this eight-runner heat and readily went clear before two out, eventually easing to a 20-length win under Darragh Higgins.
Bought for just €6,500, the Redbridge Stables-owned bay is from the family of three-time Group 1 winner Crimplene, who won the 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in 2000.
“He is a lovely horse, and we had him ready for today. He’s done a few nice bits of work at home,” Murphy reflected.
“I got him as a foal, and I’d say he’ll go to the sales now.”
Gold Star
Eight also lined up for the second division, with the always prominent Gold Star Status (6/1 - 10/1) coming out on top.
Trained by Pat O’Rourke, owned by his wife Phyllis and ridden by their son Jimmy, the recent Dromahane third was headed after a slow jump four out, but regained the lead away from the next.
Ridden before the penultimate obstacle, the €4,500 Tattersalls July Store Sale purchase found plenty for pressure and came home four lengths clear of debutant Hold The Throw.
“He had a few little issues last season, and we shouldn’t have run him,” the winning rider reported. “He just needed some time, and he improved no end from his run the last day. He is a horse you’ll be hearing an awful lot about; he is well above average.”
THE Colin Bowe second string on jockey bookings, Roi Du Roume (8/1 – 10/1) provided Ronan McParland with a first success in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.
Returning to the saddle after breaking his wrist, the Kildare native gave the Milestone Bloodstock-owned grey a patient ride.
One of seven still in contention approaching the straight, the €78,000 Goffs Arkle Sale graduate challenged in second from two out and kept on best away from the last to lead close home, denying newcomer Gallant George by half a length.
“Ronan works with me in the mornings, and he’s a good lad,” Bowe divulged. “I told Ronan to go out and give him a chance and ride him as you find him. He stayed on well, and he gave him a good, cheery ride.”
King in command
Owned and trained by Sam Curling, Commander King (6/1) prevailed in the concluding nine-runner six-year-old and upwards geldings maiden, with Hannah Phillips on board the Soldier Of Fortune. Establishing a lead on the run to two out, the recent Knockmullen third saw his advantage eroded on the run-in, and was all out at the line to hold off Foxy Rock, with a head between them.
“He travelled and jumped great. He is a very strong stayer, and I wanted to use that to his advantage and make it a true test, because we didn’t go a strong gallop early,” Phillips explained. “It’s my first season working for Sam, and that’s my first point-to-point ride for him.”
Jolly good win
Nine also faced the starter for the five-year-old and upwards mares’ maiden, with the Its Gonna Happen Partnership-owned Jolly D’Olivate (4/1) making all under Frankie Murphy. Returning from a lengthy absence, the Harley Dunne-trained six-year-old jumped well throughout and went on before the penultimate obstacle, ultimately coming home three and a half lengths to the good.
“There is a funny story to her. I bought her as a yearling in Arqana, and she got in foal as a two-year-old,” Dunne revealed. “She ran after she had the foal and finished third last time, but then she got a touch of a leg, and I left her out in the field. I nearly forgot she was there! She will come on for the run today, and hopefully she’ll progress.”
DONAL O’Connor and Kieran Roche continued their strong start to the season, combining to take the four-year-old mares’ maiden with debutant Norristown Lady (3/1 – 4/1).
Registering a fourth win from just six rides this campaign, O’Connor settled the €8,000 Tattersalls July Store Sale purchase towards the rear.
Making good progress after five out and going second before the penultimate obstacle, the Affinisea bay was ridden to challenge Sorgean before the last and outstayed that rival on the run-in, with half a length between them crossing the line.
“She went very well in a schooling bumper a couple of weeks ago, and she’s a lovely mare,” Roche, saddling a third winner from just five runners this term, commented.
“I got my son Patrick to bid for her at the sales, and while I told him to stop bidding, he kept going! Myself and Ger Rochford own her between us, and Patrick of course as well!”
Hat-trick
Magic Sadler (1/1 – 5/2) and Emily Costello are another team in form, with the pair combining for a third straight win in the 12-runner open for novice riders.
With the field well strung out from early, the Pat Doyle-trained victor raced in second and improved to lead before four out.
Pressed approaching the penultimate obstacle and joined before the last, the progressive Patrick Brogan-owned bay regained an outright advantage when ridden on the run-in, keeping on well to beat Five Star Getaway by a length.
“Emily is a very good girl. She is after getting some good opportunities, and she is taking them,” Doyle remarked. “He’s a lovely horse, and he’ll go to Clonmel now for a maiden hunter chase in January. He was second in it last year. That’s the plan.”
Horse to follow
Bohemian Bay(A. Latta): This Tattersalls Derby Sale graduate ran his best race to date, finishing third to Roi Du Roume. Not getting the run of the race and blundering, he was only beaten two and a half lengths, and will be a threat to all next time.