AIDAN O’Brien dominated the first session of a weekend of flat action at Naas with the victory of First Approach in the 50,000 euro Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Nursery the highlight of a 512/1 four-timer that gave the master of Ballydoyle yet another century of winners for the season.
The son of No Nay Never, who faded from over a furlong out when previously finishing in rear in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, was much more at home in these calmer waters.
The 6/1 shot was never too far from the pace under Jack Cleary and asserted over a furlong out before keeping on well to beat Luna Mia by a length and a quarter.
“He did it well in the end. Obviously the step back down in class really suited him and he seemed to enjoy it throughout with no headgear on today,” said Cleary. “He hit the line strong, and it felt like he had plenty in hand. He has plenty of pace and looks a real sprinting type.”
The 5lb-claiming apprentice has made the most of some good opportunities for the champion trainer this season and is now on the 17-winner mark for the campaign having also taken the Irish EBF Maiden (Smullen Series) on Cape Cod.
The 5/6 favourite made all and, after being ridden to assert under two furlongs out, kept on well to score by three-quarters of a length from strong-finishing newcomer Handani.
“We kept it straight forward and he travelled great throughout. He was flicking his ears coming into the last furlong and should stay a mile and a quarter next year,” said Cleary.
RONAN Whelan partnered the third leg for O’Brien as Tea Rose led about a furlong out in the WTW Willis Fillies Maiden before keeping on well to beat Therewillbeglory by a length and a quarter.
“Dropping to seven and on this track was just like a bit of work for her really. I was able to tuck in, she relaxed and then hit top gear,” said Whelan of the 3/1 winner.
Mark Crehan bridged a lengthy gap without a winner as Serengeti completed the four-timer for O’Brien and the Coolmore partners in the Naas Racecourse Handicap. The 9/1 chance was pushed along to lead over a furlong and kept on well to beat Chicago Fireball by a length and a half.
“He’s a very good yard stick at home and leads the good horses. He can keep up a high tempo and is a class above them. It’s nice to get his head in front to keep his confidence up and I think it’s nearly a year since I rode a winner, so hopefully we can get a few more,” said Crehan.
Patience pays
Thunderbear went one better than last year when benefiting from a patient ride by James Ryan to take the Listed RFL Steels Stakes.
The easy to back 15/2 chance quickened up nicely in the centre of the track to lead about 100 yards out for a length and three quarters victory over Tango Flare, with Greatest Drama a further neck back in third.
“He hit the line strong and was an impressive winner. They are his conditions - six furlongs, some juice in the ground and a strongly-run race. It’s lovely, as he’s a home-bred and owned by Will Armitage and my parents,” said winning trainer Jack Davison.
“He’s a real character of a horse and a favourite in the yard. He pops up every year and seems best kept fresh for the autumn. We went to Doncaster at the backend of last season and may go there again, as Will is based over there.”
THERE was a 40/1 shock in the Lily & Wild Maiden where Unwavering Monarch, trained by Josh Halley for his mother Rachael, made a belated winning debut.
The daughter of Wootton Bassett, who made 300,000 euro as a yearling at Arqana and was bought for 40,000 guineas by current connections at Tattersalls in July, had plenty to do early in the straight but really got motoring from over a furlong out and Andrew Slattery’s mount eventually had nearly four lengths to spare over Maestro Bernstein at the line.
“We bought her as a broodmare, being very well-bred and, when we put her back into training, she took it very well. We wanted her to just relax off the pace and learn today. To win is a bonus for us and we’ll see how she comes out of this and go from there,” said the Fethard trainer.
Back on track
Stag Night got back on track following an unfortunate incident at the Curragh a fortnight ago, when produced late to land the Osborne Denieffe Solicitors Handicap.
The seven-year-old ran loose after breaking through the stalls at the Curragh, but had no such issues here when finishing strongly inside the final 150 yards under Billy Lee to just snatch the spoils by half a length from Arklow Lad in an exciting blanket finish to this five-furlong sprint.
Likedbymike was just a short head back in third, while Bounty, who looked a likely winner inside the final furlong, was a further head back in fourth.
Bounty’s rider Jack Cleary picked up a two-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
“He has terrible feet and gets quarter cracks, so we don’t run him on hard ground. I think there is another race up the Curragh for him before the end of the season,” said Willie McCreery, who trains the well-backed 3/1 favourite for his wife Amanda.