RIGGS outran his 28/1 odds to land the Remembering Caughoo Handicap Steeplechase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs for Peter Cluskey and Liam McKenna.
The 10-year-old gelding always had the leaders in his sights and McKenna sent him on before three out. He dug deep after the final fence to score by three lengths for owners Paul M Butler and James Patrick Byrne.
McKenna said: “I’d say that track suited him. He has all the ability, but thinks about racing. Today he was up and down, and turning just kept his head right.
“When he jumped two fences, I knew he was a different horse. The day in Down Royal, I never went a yard and he stayed on from the back of the last over three miles two furlongs (in fourth). When he jumped and travelled today, I knew he would stay going.”
Smooth
Game On travelled smoothly on the good ground before readily getting off the mark in the Randox Maiden Hurdle. The 5/6 favourite tracked throughout and eyes were drawn to him as he took over jumping the last. Donagh Meyler guided him home by four and a half lengths for owner Philip Polly.
Noel Meade said: “It was a good horse (Toad Hall) we followed the last day (third in Downpatrick) and he kind of dragged us out and it kind of half killed him, so we said today we wouldn’t just send him as far out. I think we will go straight over fences with him now. He’s a real fast-ground horse, he jumps very well.”
In-form Our Zebo (9/4 favourite) added to Tramore gains in the Road Stud Installations Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles and five furlongs.
The six-year-old gelding raced in rear of mid-division for Alex Harvey and made good progress after the penultimate flight.
“He arrived into the lead popping the last and powered up the hill to come in six and a half lengths clear for owner John B O’Hagan.
Noel Kelly said: “Blinkers and that trip, dropped him out and took his time again - that seems to be the key. He was always going well at home. We took him to England last year and backed him a couple of times and he was very disappointing.
“It was probably our fault as we rode him too handy. Probably big, flat, galloping tracks don’t suit this horse, because he is a wee bit quirky in himself. Up and down hills, twisting and turning, keeps him thinking. Tramore, here and Sligo - those sort of tight tracks.”
THE consistent Queenofthelodge got her reward in the Download The Tote App Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. The 4/1 shot made a mistake three out while disputing the lead, but it didn’t stop her taking over at the next.
Billie Frechette threw down a strong challenge inside the final furlong, but Queenofthelodge toughed it out best by three-quarters of a length for Sam Curling and the Sink Or Swim Syndicate.
Jockey Phillip Enright said: “We went a good gallop and probably got racing a little bit early, but I knew she’d stay well. I was anxious to try and get on the rail coming up the hill and, in fairness, she put her head down and battled well.”
Tough match
The SIS, Supporting Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle boiled down to a match on the long run to the last and it was Youlita who clung on for victory.
He looked set to forge on once he jumped the last well and his rival Sea Of Doubt blundered, however, he tired on the run-in and it was slow-motion stuff as he held on by a length and a half from Sea Of Doubt for owner Mark McKay.
The winner was gambled on from 13/8 to 8/15 favourite. Charles Byrnes said: “A bit of heat exhaustion I’d say. He made heavy enough weather of it. He (Byrnes) said he was having a look as well. It looked to be only a two-horse race and I’m a bit disappointed he didn’t go on and do it.”
WELL Loved (11/2) saw her advantage whittled away in the final furlong of the Derrick Gilmore, 70th Birthday Handicap Steeplechase over an extended two miles and three furlongs, but fended off 6/4 favourite Person Of Interest by half a length.
Paul Power’s mare moved clear entering the straight, however, Person Of Interest kept her more than honest in the closing stages. Jockey Richie Deegan, in the O’Driscoll’s colours, said: “She got me there easy jumping and travelling, and just idled a little bit in front.
“I knew she would stay, I still didn’t want to be in front just as soon. She gets further but, the way she travels and jumps, that is probably just far enough for her at the minute I’d say.”
Paddy Hanlon was suspended for three race days for frequency with the whip aboard Person Of Interest.
Kenisa goes one better
Gordon Elliott’s Kenisa Sport built upon a runner-up berth in a Down Royal bumper in March to take the honours in the Joe Rea Memorial Mares’ Flat Race.
She attracted support down to 7/2 and her backers would have been more than content to see her make stealthy headway into third entering the straight. Her momentum saw her strike the front inside the final furlong and she soon ran on by five and a-half lengths for KTDA Racing.
Jockey Harry Swan said: “I just didn’t want to force it too early, I knew they were going to go a nice gallop and I was happy to let her stay in her comfort zone the whole way. She has a good attitude and probably a trip in time. She’s a nice filly. They will have plenty of fun with her during the summer, I’m sure.”