J.J. SLEVIN was in double-winning form at Kilbeggan last Friday evening. Eye Of A Tiger got the Wexford man off the mark in the opening Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On 30th August Maiden Hurdle.
Making all the running, the John Ryan-owned/trained 11/8 joint-favourite scored readily by six and a half lengths from Beir Bua (7/2).
“It’s not before time anyway! She could have won first time out the same,” said Ryan. “She ran a bit keen, but he grabbed a good hold of her and settled her in front. She’s a grand filly to have. The lads are anxious to go to Cheltenham in October, so we’ll probably go there for a novice hurdle.”
Slevin adopted similar front-running tactics aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained Quantum Quest to land the Peadar’s Bar Moate Maiden Hurdle.
Asserting after two out, the 8/13 favourite kept on well to win by four and a half lengths from Reiki Revolution (5/2) for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“It was a good performance, he was entitled to do that,” said Slevin. “He’s probably matured since his break. I rode him out the other morning and he felt a much stronger horse.
“He was a bit clumsy at one or two, purely because he was idling and looking around him, but it was straightforward. Whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus. He’s a big staying chaser and we’ll see where he slots in in time.”
KEITH Donoghue also landed a two-timer on the card, initiated by Catena Zapata (9/1), who came from off the pace to win the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Novice Hurdle.
Last of the five after jumping two out, the Ian Donoghue-trained gelding headed long-time leader Ebony King entering the straight.
Already appearing to have the race in safe keeping, the Mrs Majella Crabbe-owned winner had his task simplified when Ebony King fell at the final flight. That allowed Catena Zapata to come home a six-and-a-half-length victor from Avondale (11/4).
Ian Donoghue said: “He was great the last day and very good there again. I fancied him coming here. I left it up to Keith and he switched off lovely.
“I’m mad to go chasing with him, we have him schooled over fences. We might freshen him up and find a beginners for him. I think there’ll be a big pot in him, two miles over fences.”
Leading Lady
Pamper Lady landed the following Tom Lynam Memorial Handicap Hurdle to give Keith Donoghue a quick double.
Getting a lovely run through on the inner to challenge over the last, the 7/2 chance stayed on well in the closing stages to win by two lengths from Malbas (10/1) for owners the Wash Yer Hands Syndicate.
Troy Cullen, race planner for trainer Gavin Cromwell, said afterwards: “We always knew she’d win a few when things fell right for her. Keith gave her a great ride today.
“The gap opened up on the inside and he wasn’t long about taking it. Hopefully she’ll take another step forward and come back again for something similar.
“I’d be very hopeful that there might be another one in her.”
MY Friend The Wind continued the excellent form of the Eric McNamara yard when swooping late to win the New Forest Estate Handicap Chase.
Gary Noonan drove his mount on to the heels of the leaders going to the last, but an untidy jump there gave the 6/1 shot a bit to do. He stuck his head down on the run-in and lunged late to get up for a neck success over Early Arrival.
McNamara said: “I wasn’t too sure (if I was up) to be honest. It can be funny here with the inside and outside. I missed the last and thought my chance was gone, but he got rolling again. Thankfully, his head was in the right place on the line.
“He did it well in the end, he put down his head and battled to the line. He’s an old horse that probably deserved that as he’s been running well, consistently enough.”
Lenient mark
The Declan Queally-trained Bal Kauto exploited a lenient mark over fences when readily winning the MJS Building & Development Handicap Chase. Dropped out towards rear by Michael Kenneally, the 11/10 favourite went third after jumping the third last fence.
Coming through to challenge leader Sea Aster at the penultimate fence, he soon led. Asserting on the run to the last, the gelding stayed on strongly to eventually score from Invictus Machin (10/1) by four and a quarter lengths. “That was great. I was a small bit worried coming here that I hadn’t prepped him as good as Galway because he’d had a week in the field and only had two bits of work,” said Queally.
“He’s had a long road with his injuries and the owners (Man About Dog Syndicate) deserve it. Michael took the southern point-to-points by storm last spring and I watched him riding a couple of winners. He’s done well and I think he’ll fly this year in point-to-points. He’s a good rider.”
First success
The James Fahey-trained Cailin Deas stayed on well close home to register a first career success when taking the concluding John Thomas McNamara Series INH Flat Race.
Owned by Frank Reynolds, the 7/2 chance quickened up close home under Stephen Connor to beat Red Oak by a length and a quarter.
“I’m delighted that she got the job done. It was important because Frank breeds out of them,” said Fahey. “She had good form and she deserved to get one, but that doesn’t really entitle her to get one.
“I’m delighted to get her over the line. She’ll more than likely go over hurdles now. It’s a bit of a delayed start to her hurdling campaign, but we got there in the end, thank God.”