TITLE-chasing jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle returned from suspension to ride Starford (13/8 favourite) to victory in the featured John McGuire Handicap on day two of the Harvest Festival at Listowel.
Narrowly beaten at the Galway Festival when bidding for a hat-trick, Newtown Anner Stud’s home-bred son of Beckford came from off the pace to beat Granite Bay by three and a half lengths.
The Letterkenny rider said: “He had to come wide, but I kept out on the best ground and kept it smooth. Hopefully he can keep going through the grades.”
Speaking from Fairyhouse, where he saddled three winners, trainer Joseph O’Brien added: “Starford handled the soft ground well.
“We could look at something like the Finale Stakes at the Curragh. He’s not EBF qualified, so we have to mix and match where we go.
“He’s a smart horse and I’d say he’s going to end up in stakes company.”
Shedding the claim
Robert Whearty rode a double for trainer Gavin Cromwell and forfeited his right to claim 3lb when bagging the Liam and Joan Healy Memorial Handicap on Flying Fortress (11/2).
Whearty produced the Flying Fortress Partnership’s three-year-old from off the pace to score by half a length from Annie’s Angel. Following his landmark 95th win, Whearty reported: “It is tough to lose your claim in Ireland, so I’m delighted to have that gone. It has been a goal of mine for the last few months.”
Quick double
Whearty quickly followed up when winning the Kevin’s Bar, Listowel/Exchange Inn, Ballybunion Handicap on Secret Force (16/1) for Cromwell and owner James Fyffe.
In a dramatic contest, the Godolphin-bred Frankel gelding, having his first run in Ireland, got the best of a three-way battle in the closing stages to score by a nose and a head from Bridezilla and Superficial.
Justenzia, ridden by Dylan O’Connor, was looking for room behind the leaders when clipping a heel and slipping up over a furlong out, bringing down the Keithen Kennedy-ridden Chica Guerrera.
Riders and horses were quickly on their feet with O’Connor later receiving a 10-day suspension for careless riding.
Whearty said: “I’m delighted to get that as we didn’t know a whole lot about this horse, being a first run for us.
“I was away out from the drama in the home straight but thought things were getting tight on the inside, so I was happy to be where I was.”
DRAGON Of Malta (6/1) enhanced his fine Listowel record with victory under Donagh O’Connor in the Visit Millennium Machinery Open House Exhibition 9th-11th October Handicap. The eight-year-old went on a furlong out to beat Still She Blooms by a length and three quarters.
Trained by Pat O’Donnell for the Gzira Syndicate, Dragon Of Malta was bringing his record to 324121 in six annual appearances at the Harvest Festival.
He returned to Listowel on Tuesday and confirmed his status as a course specialist with a five-length victory in a higher-grade contest.
Part-owner Peter Keogh said of his win on Monday: “Pat is at the sales and I’m involved in the syndicate and ride him out every morning before going to work. He has been absolutely brilliant for us.”
Making most
Cherry Hill Girl (13/2) made most to land the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (Smullen Series) for Andy and Andrew Slattery. Pushed clear early in the straight, Bill Ryan’s 6,000 Euro yearling purchase came home five and a half lengths in front of World Tour.
Trainer Andy Slattery said of the Belardo juvenile: “Her run in Galway was a bit of a disappointment but she broke badly, was racing on the outside and was hanging left and ducking away from horses.
“She is in the final of this auction series in Naas off a low weight, so that is her next port of call.”
RUNNER-up on his previous start at Cork, Naples (16/5) went one better in the Tote, Never Beaten By SP Maiden. Ridden by Billy Lee, the Mehmas gelding came from mid-division to lead inside the final furlong and won by a neck from Lilac Lady.
Trainer Paddy Twomey commented: “He ran well on soft ground at Cork and seems to like those conditions. Hopefully we will have a good autumn with him.
“That’s my only runner here all week and it is great to give Claire Carroll, who lectures in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, a winner.”
’A strapping colt’
The day before the death of his sire Wootton Bassett was announced, newcomer Grafton Street (4/1), out of Oaks runner-up Ennistymon, took the Eric Browne Memorial Maiden for Aidan O’Brien.
Ronan Whelan’s mount tracked the pacesetters and led over a furlong out to score by two and a quarter lengths from Sears Crossing.
Whelan said of Mrs John Magnier’s winner: “He is a big strapping colt who is very laid-back, so I’d say was both mentally and physically backwards. He popped, travelled and went on about his business very professionally.”
Flannery off the mark
Ehteyat (33/1) made all and routed his rivals in the Treo Eile Retraining Ireland’s Racehorses Handicap to provide Askeaton-based owner/trainer Michael Flannery with his first winner.
Ridden by Abbeyfeale jockey Paddy Harnett, the German-bred, twice a winner when trained in Britain, had all his rivals in trouble turning for home and galloped on strongly to slam Plunkett Street by eight and a half lengths.
The six-year-old returned to a good reception in the winner’s enclosure and Flannery reported: “I have a lot of supporters and this is my first winner, so this is the start of it.
“I’m from Nenagh, was involved with horses for years and took out my licence last year. I bought Paddy Neville’s yard and am working out of that and have been friends with him and his family for years.”