THE featured fillies and mares handicap was one of five races on the card sponsored by Ampion Electrical Testing And Solar Experts. Teologia, trained by Joseph O’Brien for San Paolo Agri-Stud, again showed her liking for the venue, completing a course hat-trick.
The 4/7 shot had previously won twice here over an extended mile and two furlongs and appeared to relish this step up to mile and five, leading well over a furlong out and striding clear under Dylan Browne McMonagle for an easy five and a half lengths victory over Beauparc.
Stable representative Michael Halford said: “She is going from strength to strength and is very honest, tries hard, and Joseph has placed her really well. Hopefully, she will keep progressing and I’m sure along the line she will try for a bit of blacktype. She stayed it well, she relaxes lovely and gives herself every chance.”
Jockeys’ championship
Billy Lee and Colin Keane continue to set the pace at the head of the flat jockeys’ championship and the pair were both on the mark to move onto the 47-winner mark, six ahead of Browne McMonagle.
Youcansaythatagain showed the benefit of his debut at the Curragh last month when justifying strong support under Lee in the mile and two-furlong maiden.
The 5/4 favourite, available at 5/1 overnight, made headway between horses over a furlong out before getting on top in the final 100 yards to beat Chosen One by three-quarters of a length.
“He was a very late foal and we had to just take our time with him, but he has a very nice pedigree. We always thought there was something in the tank, so we never really pushed too hard,” said Andy Oliver, who trains the son of Ghaiyyath for Francis Campbell. “This year he has come to himself, and we think there is more to come. He’s a horse who seems to be improving all the time, great attitude at home and is thriving really well.”
Making all
Keane got on the scoresheet when making all aboard Sea Of Dubka in the concluding mile and five-furlong, three-year-old handicap.
Owned in partnership by Anthony Head, Stephen McCarthy and Linda Shanahan, the 3/1 chance asserted inside the final quarter mile and was driven out to beat Augusta Rock by three and a half lengths.
“She went along there with her ears pricked, she didn’t really know what she was doing.
“She is still plenty raw and green, but a fine big filly and bred to stay. I’d say she will be a lovely dual-purpose filly,” said Keane of Henry de Bromhead’s charge.
THE mother and son team of Tanya Browne and Adam Browne-Souza combined to land the five-furlong handicap with Viamonte.
The 10/1 chance led about a furlong out and stuck to his task well to beat Dandy Land by three-quarters of a length.
“I think he deserved it as he has been knocking on the door. We started him off over seven furlongs as a two-year-old, but his wind was catching him, so we brought him back in trip. He’s a really honest horse,” said the Cashel owner-trainer.
Ellie Gartlan nearly made a fairytale start to her riding career aboard Bit Of A Buzz who quickened to the front under two furlongs out in the nursery.
However, her mount was reeled in by Tatianna, owned and trained by Josh Halley, inside the final 150 yards to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Jimmy Dalton picked up a four-day ban for careless riding aboard Shafters Legacy following an incident over a furlong out involving third-placed Mr Montauk.
“She was a bit caught for toe early on but, in fairness, she did it well in the end. She’s not overly big, but she tries very hard,” said rider Jack Cleary of the 15/2 winner.
Eden finds a way to win
WEST Of Eden took the other juvenile event on the card when making all for Wayne Lordan in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, the 15/8 favourite came under pressure over a furlong out.
He kept on well, however, to score by a length and a half from the staying-on Seaxburh.
“The race (for horses that have run at least twice and have a rating of 75 or less) fitted his profile,” stable representative Chris Armstrong said.
“He’s a horse that is a work in progress and hopefully will keep developing.
“We’ll see what the handicapper does, and he might be one for the nursery in Galway.”
Best again
Numidia won by a nose for Mel Sheridan at Bellewstown earlier this month and the combination again came out best in a very tight finish to the Gain The Advantage Series Apprentice Handicap.
The 9/2 shot just got the better of a final furlong tussle with Masego by a short-head with the pair pulling seven and a half lengths clear of Banana Three in third.
“He pays his way. I don’t know how many times I was getting rid of him! Not now, that’s his sixth win,” said owner/trainer Peter Lawlor.
“He has a Dundalk rating, so we’ll work off that. On the turf, we might be climbing a bit.”
Sheridan was partnering his third career winner, and his claim will be reduced to 7lb in future.