ORLA Tynan partnered her first winner on just her fourth ride as Solomon Coop, trained by her grandfather Matty, took the House Restaurant Apprentice Handicap.
The four-year-old gelding only joined Tynan after winning a Dundalk maiden for Eamonn O’Connell in February as the Fethard trainer explained: “We got this horse to give Orla some experience and get her going, but little did we think we’d be winning at Fairyhouse. It’s unbelievable and she gave him a great ride.”
The 33/1 shot led early in the straight and took control from over a furlong out under the 18-year-old rider, who is apprenticed to Andy Slattery, to beat Senior by two and a quarter lengths.
“I’m in the game a long time and it’s the best racing day of my life. When your granddaughter rides a winner for you – I’m glad I’m alive to see it!” said the ecstatic winning trainer.
Surprise winner
Yudish Geerdharry was another apprentice to partner a big price winner as Lovely, trained by Diego Dias for the Middlelane Farm Partnership, recorded a 40/1 shock in the Book Your Hospitality @Fairyhouse.ie Handicap.
The native of Mauritius bridged a lengthy gap without success as the Diego Dias-trained filly was switched left over a furlong out and just got the better of Mother Mara by a short head.
Geerdharry said: “She won well and hit the line very well. It’s been a long time and nearly two years since I had a winner. Diego has been a great supporter of mine and I’m back with Johnny (Murtagh) who is supporting me as well.
“This filly is still very green and only had four runs. She wandered a bit when on her own on the outside, but she finished well and should stay further.”
Dylan “the architect”
Mother Mara’s trainer Ger O’Leary was full of praise for Dylan Browne McMonagle after Yaxchilan landed the See You Next Friday Handicap. The Lance Bloodstock-owned gelding weaved a path through between horses, striking the front inside the final 100 yards for a half-length verdict over fellow 12/1 chance Livingston Range.
“Dylan did a wonderful job getting him out of traffic and said he probably needs seven (furlongs). Dropping into the 0-60 was a big help, so we’ll look for something similar over the next three weeks, but Dylan was the architect of that,” said O’Leary.
GYPSY Queen took a nice step forward from her debut at Limerick to take the End Of School Year Maiden in impressive fashion. The daughter of Pinatubo quickened to lead a furlong out and soon drew clear to beat Manhattan Chute by an easy four and three-quarter lengths.
“She’s a home-bred for Al Shira’aa so it’s important. She did it well and Billy (Lee) said she loved a little bit of ease in the ground,” said trainer Willie McCreery of the 5/2 shot.
“She quickened up nicely, but needs another bit of experience. We’ll try and find a winners-of-one or a fillies’ handicap. Seven may suit her even better as she was just on her head early on, but she’ll learn more again today.”
McCreery had to settle for second spot in the concluding one-mile, two-furlong Country & Western Handicap where Fantazy Man followed up a Ballinrobe victory in some style when stretching clear inside the final 150 yards under Ben Coen to beat Edergole’s Angel by an impressive four and three-quarter lengths.
“He’s straightforward and has probably sharpened up from Ballinrobe. We went a nice even gallop, and he picked up good and stays well. I’d say another two furlongs would be no problem either, and he could work up into a nice dual-purpose horse,” said Coen of the 9/2 winner, trained for McPeake Investments by Johnny Murtagh.
NO Return made all to land a Curragh maiden in April and repeated the tactics to take the Fairynights @Fairyhouse Handicap in the hands of Jamie Powell.
The 100/30 chance was quickly away from an outside draw and, having asserted early in the straight, kept on well inside the final furlong to beat Misappropriation by a length and a quarter.
“We got a soft lead, and he loves a rail beside him. Six is perfect for him and he’s a good little money spinner,” said Danny Murphy, who trains the Kodiac gelding for Richard Behan.
Well deserved
I Bid You Ajou opened his account at the 16th attempt in the Royal County Optional Claiming Race, travelling well to lead early in the straight and driven out inside the final furlong by Gavin Ryan to beat Nezeeh by a length and a quarter.
“It’s his first time in claiming company and that’s probably his grade. Gavin gave him a great ride and he said going around a bend probably suited him better than running up straights like the Curragh and Cork and just not getting home,” said trainer Mark Fahey of the 4/1 winner. “He’s a sound, fun horse and I’m delighted for Paul and Conor (Pabiroco Syndicate), who have been with this horse a long time and deserve that win.” There were no claims for any of the runners.