THE Michael O’Callaghan-trained Bamako Beach won the featured RFL Steels Stakes (Listed Race) over six furlongs at Naas on Saturday.

Making all under Jamie Powell, the 3/1 joint-favourite scored by four lengths from Big Gossey for owners Bamako Beach Partnership, who never had a moment’s worry in the race.

O’Callaghan said: “Gelding has done the trick, we did that three days after the race in France (Prix du Pin). He’s a very good horse. He always has been.

“He’s getting faster and I think he could be a very good sprinter next year. He’s clear winded, has a lot of speed and is a very good horse. Six furlongs looks his trip now that it’s all coming together.”

Guineas trial on target

Pink Venom completed a hat-trick when keeping on best under Ben Coen to take the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap.

Sent off 11/10 favourite, the Noel Hartley-owned filly asserted close home for a two-and-three-quarter-length verdict over Oristown Boy.

Winning trainer Johnny Murtagh reported: “I thought she had a great chance coming here. She’s after bouncing out of her last two races really well. She’s not over big, but she’s tough and hardy.

“She’s after winning the Birdcatcher now and earning herself an extra bonus (€20k). Noel is a big supporter of mine, so I’m delighted for him. She’ll probably have to go into blacktype races now.

“I don’t know if there’s anything left for her from now until the end of the year, but she’s one to look forward to next year. We might start her off in a Guineas trial next year.”

Close finish

Andrew Slattery got up close home on the Jim Bolger-trained Admired Beauty for a short-head win in the opening Irish EBF Maiden over a mile. Returned 20/1, the Miss Clare Manning-owned filly just did enough to beat Ted’s Turn.

Representing the winning trainer, Ger Flynn said: “It was good to get that. Andy said she really relished the trip and the ground. She’s a filly for the future. She won snug now in the end; he was just hands and heels. He didn’t want to beat her up going to the line. Andy likes her a lot.”

LISTOWEL maiden winner Storm Ready kept his unbeaten record to land the concluding Naas Racecourse Handicap over seven furlongs. Ridden by Shane Foley, the John Kirkland-owned 7/2 joint-favourite stayed on strongly for a half-length success over Key Witness.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: “He’s still learning. He’s a nice horse and he’s just learning all the time. Shane thought he was going to win easily, but he just pricked his ears.

“You love to see that, which is great. I presume we’ll go back to a mile. We’ll have a look and see. He might have one more run before the end of the year.

“He has a great attitude and a great mind, everything. He relaxed there, and he learnt a lot in Listowel. He had to, as he had a wide draw and had to get bustled around. He just does things easily enough, so I’m delighted with him.”

Zelani battles back

Headed over a furlong out, Zelani battled back gamely under Chris Hayes to win the M.L.A Engineering Ltd. Supporting Ardclough GAA Maiden over a mile.

Owned by Exors of the Late H H Aga Khan, the 30/100 favourite got up close home to deny Tax Me Later by three-quarters of a length.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld said: “A good battling performance, that’s what it was.

“He ran a good race in Listowel the other day and he backed it up. A bit of guts and a bit of courage won the day.

“I know there are seven and a half lengths back to the third, but the testing ground has to have an effect on the distances.

“A good solid ride from Chris Hayes as well. A mile is a pretty good trip for him at the moment.”

THE Willie McCreery-trained Stag Night repeated last year’s victory in the five-furlong Naas Farm Machinery Handicap.

Partnered by Leigh Roche, the 13/2 chance carried the colours of Mrs Amanda McCreery to a one-and-a-quarter-length win from Gerrit’s Gem.

Willie McCreery said: “It’s his third time to win this race. When the rain comes, he just needs this softer ground. I still say Brendan Curley (farrier) keeps him alive.

“He’s got terrible auld quarter cracks, which are an unusual thing in Ireland. His whole foot is made up of plastics. Brendan does a great job with him.

“He just doesn’t feel anything on that softer ground and he lets himself down. He’s not a bad horse on his day.”

40 in season wins for Slattery

THEREWILLBEGLORY justified 5/6 favouritism under Andrew Slattery in the seven-furlong WTW Willis Fillies Maiden. Owned by the Pleasant Star Syndicate, the filly scored easily by five lengths from Justiciar.

“She was frustrating, to say the least. She’s a very good work horse and I thought she’d have won by now,” said winning trainer Andy Slattery after bringing his tally for the flat season to 40.

“She works toe to toe with Loughrea at home. She just never produced it on the track; she was second more times. I brought her to the beach, I thought she was a Laytown certainty.

“She actually bled the same day and had never bled in her life. I said when she didn’t win that day, she’d never win. The beach seems to have been after sweetening her up a bit. It’s great to win with her.”