JIM Bolger’s Teofil (8/13 favourite) was up for a battle in the WTW Willis Towers Watson Maiden over one mile six furlongs.
The four-year-old gelding led after a furlong and came under pressure two furlongs down. He rallied for Luke McAteer approaching the final furlong and grittily saw off Peace Pebble by three-quarters of a length in the colours of Jackie Bolger.
Travelling Head Lad, Ger Flynn said: “Luke said he is still a very big baby and said he will be nothing until next year. He says he will be a proper horse. He said he really wants to go half a mile further; that’s his minimum trip.”
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident inside the final furlong involving Peace Pebble (Billy Lee), Teofil, and Possum (Shane Foley), where it appeared Possum and Peace Pebble bumped a couple of times.
With this being Foley’s fourth offence, he was handed a 12-day ban for careless riding. Unless Foley lodges an appeal by next Wednesday, his suspension will cover all flat racing dates from November 4th to December 11th.
Meade on the verge of milestone
Noel Meade is rapidly approaching 3,000 career winners, after Wynette delivered at 50/1 on debut in the Kilberry Fillies Maiden.
Adam Caffrey settled her in mid-division, and the pair began to edge closer racing to the final furlong. She finished best of all to collar 6/4 favourite Nautic Star by a short head for Ballyheashall Stud.
Afterwards, Meade said of the daughter of Coulsty: “She’s a nice filly. I thought she would want better ground, somewhere like Dundalk.
“You could see her in Dundalk. That is my 2,999th winner, so one to go.”
Third time lucky
Villaray (4/1) got off the mark at the third time of asking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden over an extended five furlongs.
The Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd representative was always prominent and Colin Keane sent her on over a furlong from home.
She was strongly pressed in the closing stages by 10/11 favourite Miss Mona Keeba, but saw it out resolutely by a neck.
Ger Lyons said: “I think she will get seven (furlongs) plus in time, and we have given her time.
“I just wasn’t happy with her until now and I dropped her back; it is what I was seeing. She can go seven next year.”
Holohan holds on for photo finish Glory
COINCIDENTAL Glory got his turn in the extended five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds plus rated 0-60.
The 9/2 favourite lost his prominent pitch halfway, but took closer order a furlong out. Reese Holohan drove him on, and he caught Another Nice’day to force a photograph, which he shaded by a nose for owners Cyril McMullan and Jim Fairhurst.
Ado McGuinness said: “He has run a blinder, and he did need the 5lb (claim) off. When those types of horses get into this grade, it is easier for them.”
Eyeconic sees success
Eyeconic was strong in the market (6/1 - 7/2) for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and her backers were paid out after a short-head victory.
Fozzy Stack’s charge moved into a tracking position halfway and Seamie Heffernan asked her for more in the final quarter of a mile.
She took over outside the final furlong, but was far from home as Spirit Of The Nite took aim in the latter stages, however, Eyeconic held on by a short head for Sophie Barrett, Linda Shanahan and Sue Magnier.
The trainer said: “It was a drop in class, and she ran well in the ‘Million’ (Curragh) for a long way and didn’t get home - she petered out. Hopefully, she will make up into a nice sprinter. I’d imagine we could get her going early next year and see where we end up.”
Making all
Willie McCreery is looking forward to Osterode next season, after she got her head in front in the five-furlong maiden for three-year-olds plus.
Michael Rosenfeld’s filly made all under Billy Lee and kept up the gallop throughout the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter at 9/2.
McCreery said: “I’m delighted with that. She’s from a lovely family. I trained her mother (Ostatnia) and they all take time, she’s the same.
“She will progress next year, and she could be a blacktype filly. We will put her away and let her grow into herself and look forward to her earlyish.”
Rumour and Tynan put on tough display
JENNIFER Lynch’s Irish Rumour (4/1) brought up her third Navan win with a tough display in the five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds plus rated up to 80.
When Orla Tynan kicked her on with more than a furlong to go, the six-year-old mare put her head down and worked her way home by half a length for owners Jerry Fennell and Pat Phibbs.
Tynan said: “She’s just such a gamey filly and always tries her best. She always picks up whenever you ask her and she’ll find that bit more.”
Thomond O’Mara’s Charlie Brow’n repeated last year’s success in the mile-and -six-furlong handicap. Adam Browne-Souza was on board and raced him in rear of mid-division of this big field.
The pair came through to take over more than three furlongs out and poached a clear advantage outside the final furlong. They came in by a reduced margin of a length and three-quarters at 8/1 for owner Roisin Hickey.
Browne-Souza said: “I tried to ride him kind of the same way Wayne (Lordan) won on him the year before. Gaps just opened up for him, and it just fell into place. He’s honest, he will find a lot for you.”