MEL Sheridan, younger brother of Group 1-winning rider Joey, partnered his first winner as Hell Left Loose ran out a convincing winner of division one of the Racing Club Membership Handicap.
The veteran gelding, trained by Denis Hogan for the Premier Racing Club, made most of the running under the 17-year-old apprentice and took command inside the final furlong.
The 11/2 chance, who was available at 11/1 overnight, kept on really strongly to beat Hieloray by seven lengths.
“When I crossed the line, it was an amazing feeling,” said Sheridan. “The plan was to sit fourth or fifth, but I ended up making the running. He loved that ground and was on the bridle the whole way. I love the horse, and I had my first ride on him.”
He added: “I dropped out in third year - I couldn’t do school at all. Ever since then I have been trying to be a jockey, and I love the job. I was in RACE for about six weeks and was as green as grass and then I went into Denis’ and he taught me from the ground up.
“I can’t thank all the lads in the yard enough. It’s also good to have Joey for advice.”
Survived enquiry
Blackjack Hills, well supported in the morning from 25/1 into 4/1 before being sent off at 10/1, was confirmed the winner of division two following a stewards’ enquiry.
Robbie Colgan’s mount edged right inside the final furlong and tightened up Rock Etoile on the rail who was eventually beaten a length and a half.
Colgan was given a two-day ban for careless riding, while Adam Browne-Souza was also given a two-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency on the runner-up.
“He’s been expected to run well a few days and didn’t, so we put blinkers on him the other day and he seemed to work well in them.
“We weren’t sure about the ground, but he seemed to handle it fine, and I think he’ll get a bit further,” said Matt Smith, who trains the winner for Debbie Kelly.
GARY Carroll partnered a 29/1 double on the card aboard Ribee and Marjorie Daw.
The latter confirmed the promise of her debut at Listowel when landing the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series).
Available at 8/1 in the morning and sent off at half those odds, the daughter of Sottsass finished strongly to just touch off Sanctijude by a nose.
“She came on from her first run and is a nice progressive filly that will probably step up in trip next year. She needed the long straight and another furlong wouldn’t go astray,” said Joe Murphy, who trains the winner for a partnership of Tadhg O’Sullivan, Shane Stafford and Crampscastle Bloodstock.
Ribee added to a Bellewstown win earlier this month when showing a good attitude in the closing stages to beat No Such Thing by half a length in the Dine At Gowran Park Handicap.
“I was giving out about the handicapper for giving an extra 3lb for the last day, but it’s hard to say anything when he wins. His form has been working out well,” said Mick Mulvany, who trains the 5/1 shot for Lee Regan Partnership.
“He’s a fine, big horse and he had ideal conditions. He might run again in Galway over a mile at the weekend. He’s by Ribchester and they all seem to like that ground.”
Title rivals share wins
Dylan Browne McMonagle maintained a lead of eight (94-86) over Colin Keane in the flat jockeys’ championship after they came away with a winner apiece from this eight-race card.
Mr Tony just got the better of a protracted battle with Ella’s Gold in the opening Golf At Gowran Park Nursery with the 11/4 favourite, trained by Joseph O’Brien for Tony Chapman and Brit Pearce, and he got up close home to land the spoils by a neck.
“The headgear today for the first time was definitely a big benefit as he travelled and, although he was coming back a furlong, he sharpened up plenty. He was good and tough when I needed him,” said Browne McMonagle.
“The conditions are very tough (officially heavy) so you could nearly add on a furlong for whatever trip it is today.”
Keane was on the mark later when Candleford Green justified odds of 5/4 with a hard-earned victory in the Gowran Park Racing Club Fillies Maiden.
The daughter of Sea The Stars was strongly pressed by Rockett Robyn inside the final 150 yards, but just held off that rival by a head.
“We’re very happy to win her maiden and I’ll have a word with Barnane Stud to see if that’s her finished or whether we continue on the all-weather or next season,” said successful trainer Willie Mullins.
Vettori gets off the mark
MR Vettori, trained by Jessica Harrington for owner/breeders Newtown Anner Stud, confirmed the promise of his second to subsequent Group 2 winner Hawk Mountain in a Curragh maiden when going one better in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The easy-to-back 3/1 chance took a while to get going on the testing ground, but got on top inside the final 100 yards to beat White Sand Beach by a length and a half.
“He ran a very good race the last day and the winner went on to win the Beresford. We trained the mother and sister, who won her maiden up the Curragh, and he’ll be a lovely horse going a mile and a quarter next year,” said Harrington’s daughter Kate.
“Shane (Foley) said he absolutely hated the ground and won despite it, so that always gives you a nice buzz.”
Deserved win
Narlita gained a deserved win in the Racing Again November 8th Handicap with the well-backed 100/30 favourite leading well over a furlong out and keeping on well under Adam Caffrey in the closing stages to beat Calzaghi by a length and three quarters.
“It’s the first time she’s got her ground, and the further she goes, the better she is. She’s in Galway next Monday again over 1m4f which should suit her,” said trainer Harry Rogers.
“It’s nice for her owner Brendan Fitzpatrick. I trained winners for him years ago and he’s been lucky with this one.”