CHRIS Hayes forged a link with Donnacha O’Brien when Keepsgettingbetter won the mile handicap, completing a double on the card for the rider.
Owned by breeder Mrs Richard Henry with Mrs John Magnier, the Sottsass filly was making her handicap debut and was held up by Hayes in the early stages. She closed two furlongs out and ran on to catch 11/10 favourite Iff In Doubt close home for a half-length success at 12/1.
“I thought, on her homework, she had taken a step forward,” Hayes said. “What I liked was that every call I gave her, she answered. I’m grateful for him (O’Brien) giving me the opportunity, because I’m in there two days a week.”
Julian Pietropaolo, rider of fifth-placed Ramair, was suspended for two days for riding carelessly.
New recruit
Hayes earlier made all aboard Sporting Hero (12/1) in the six-furlong handicap on stable debut for Bill Durkan.
Claimed from Denis Hogan the previous month, the six-year-old gelding was asked for more a furlong and a half down and went on to seal victory by three-quarters of a length for owner Neil Durkan.
Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “I asked Neil for a horse to lead the bunch of two-year-olds this year, as we were using all our nicer middle-distance horses.
“It is great to get a win out of him, and he’ll continue to lead the two-year-olds, and to help our apprentice Jamie (Orr).”
Jack Kearney picked up a two-day ban for a careless riding incident aboard runner-up Inishfallen.
Never headed
The John McConnell-trained Bye Bye Now (22/1) enjoyed her handicap debut as she led the field a merry dance over the minimum trip.
Siobhan Rutledge’s mount dictated throughout and held a nice cushion approaching the final furlong, as her rivals struggled to bridge the gap. She drifted right in the closing stages, but still proved more than able by a length and a half for owner Ms Caroline Ahearn.
McConnell said: “She was a very fast breezer in Fairyhouse and she cost a good bit of money. She just came into problems then, various different things, and she probably didn’t grow that much either, so we were behind where we wanted to be.”
THE consistent Glitter And Glory (4/1) made the breakthrough for Jessica Harrington in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden over seven furlongs.
Placed no less than four times, the Glamour & Glory Syndicate-owned filly tracked the leader here, with Shane Foley producing her to challenge two furlongs down. She grabbed a share of the lead inside the final furlong and went on to beat the even-money favourite by a length and three-quarters.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “She hasn’t had a break, so I think if we get a bit of nice weather now, we will give her 10 days in the field and bring her back for Irish Guineas weekend for a fillies’ handicap.”
Different tactics
Amemri (10/1) bounced back to form and brought up her 10th career success in the seven-furlong handicap under Luke McAteer.
From rear of mid-division, she made progress with a furlong and a half to travel and was soon hampered. That didn’t prevent her from looming large a furlong out and she swept into the lead with 150 yards left, going on to win by two lengths in the colours of Ms Melanie Marnane.
David Marnane said: “We rode her a bit colder today and Luke gave her a great ride. She loves picking up off the pace and, even when she got into trouble, she still found plenty.”
Cillian Rowan, rider of runner-up Comfort Line, was handed a two-day ban for frequency with the whip, while Orla Tynan, on fourth-placed Kitty Bear, was given a two-day suspension for riding carelessly.
More to come
The Ciaran Murphy-trained Baila Conmigo (15/2) availed of a drop in trip to land the finale over an extended 10 furlongs.
Ben Coen had him in the box seat and brought him to challenge the leader a furlong and a half from home. He took over at the furlong marker and kept on stoutly to oblige by a length and a quarter for owner Cristiana Rodrigues.
“Ben was strong on him, and he couldn’t pull him up then,” the trainer said. “I like that in the horses, because you know there is more to come.”
UNTERBERG brought up his hat-trick when taking the Dundalk Stadium Winter Series Awards Day Handicap in determined fashion under Rory Mulligan.
Always prominent in this mile-and-a-half assignment, the 4/1 shot led narrowly approaching the final furlong and stuck to his task well to score by three-quarters of a length for the Novum Racing Club.
Laura Hourigan said: “I thought he was going on a break the last day, but we have nothing coming up and the ground is wet, so it was well worth giving it a go.”
On a roll
Ohailbhic (10/3) followed up on last week’s victory on the Polytrack with another success in the mile handicap. Ronan Whelan’s mount travelled strongly behind the pace and got on terms a furlong down, bounding away in the closing stages to score by two lengths for owner Ivan Holloway.
John Feane said: “I think the race fell apart a bit, but he relishes that surface and I’m delighted he won again for the owner.
“Possibly (go turf soon), there’s a race on April 3rd, a €50,000 handicap up the Curragh over a mile.”