JOSEPH O’Brien landed the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap for the third time in five years, as Beset overcame trouble in running to make a winning start for the yard.
Declan McDonogh was all dressed up with nowhere to go on the inner in the straight, but when a narrow gap finally appeared inside the final furlong, the 15/2 chance squeezed through and quickened up well to beat Fratas by a length and a quarter.
“We went a hell of a gallop, and she couldn’t go with them early. I had to let her get comfortable and halfway she came back on the bridle, and I was able to go in and save a bit of ground but was in traffic and needed a bit of a luck. The gap opened late, but she had a gear and she wanted to get into it which helps a jockey,” said McDonogh.
“We didn’t know much about her so today was a learning day and hopefully she will progress. They are sharp lads that are buying them, and they know the form well in England. She’s won over a mile and a half so that won’t be a problem, and she won’t want extremes of ground. She’s a very likeable filly.”
The daughter of Expert Eye, bought for 25,000 guineas at the Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale after winning on the all-weather for Henry Candy, is now owned by broadcasters Kevin Blake and Nick Luck in partnership with Emma Palmer and Michael Wilson.
Impressive debut
Ceo Stealth Mode was an ultimately impressive debut winner when justifying strong support in the Tote.ie Median Auction Maiden. Trained by Paddy Twomey for Bond Thoroughbred Limited, the son of Calyx was available at 7/4 in the morning and supported from 11/10 into 8/11 on track.
He appeared to still have plenty to do entering the straight, but picked up well for Billy Lee leading 150 yards out before striding clear to score by four lengths.
“It’s hard to win around here first time out.
“He looked to be learning on the job and hopefully he will continue to improve,” said Twomey before adding, “The trip is probably a minimum. It’s a stiff six here and he will have no trouble going out in trip.”
KEITHEN Kennedy partnered a near 46/1 double on the afternoon aboard You Make Me Smile and Birdie Time. You Make Me Smile followed up a hurdle win at Clonmel last month when leading just inside the final furlong and keeping on well to beat Makaiah by a length and a quarter in the Tote.ie Apprentice Handicap.
“It’s great that she’s won here today, as the lads (Trevor and Ryan Hennessy) only live down the road. She stayed well and will handle soft ground as well,” said trainer Pat Fahy of the 15/2 winner.
Birdie Time, trained by Jessica Harrington for Omega and Monmouth Bay Racing and Tom Galway, got well on top inside the final furlong to beat Ribee by two and a half lengths in the Apex Controls Ltd Handicap.
“She really enjoyed that ground today - it’s just the easy side of good. She took me everywhere into the race and made a nice move down the back straight. She did it nicely in the end,” said Kennedy of the 9/2 shot.
Adding to the tally
Gegenpressing added to his impressive record at Sligo when overcoming an outside draw to land the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap for the second successive year, making good headway on the outer early in the straight under Chris Hayes to beat My Kurkum by half a length.
“He’s owned by my mother Marie and has turned into a family pet at this stage. He won this race last year and also won here in August three years ago,” said Patrick Harty, who trains the 11/2 winner jointly with his father Eddie. “He’s a great lead horse and is good for the apprentices to learn on.”
AGOUTI Bear showed good pace throughout when making all in the Download The Tote App Fillies Maiden. The 3/1 chance kept on well inside the final furlong under Jamie Powell to beat Shoney by two and a half lengths for trainer Danny Murphy.
“She was weak last year and I’d sold her to go to America after her first run, but the boys changed their minds. I’m glad they did,” said Murphy who trains the filly for a partnership of the Kildare Racing Syndicate and the Brogue (Tuam) Racing Club. “She’s still a bit green, but did that well.”
Late challenge
Grizabella, trained by Paul Flynn for the GMW Aintree Ninety Nine Syndicate, also made all in the Web The Tool Company Handicap and just held the strong late challenge of Bambeano by a short head.
“It wasn’t the plan to make it, but she broke very quick from the stalls. I was able to steady a bit going down the back and I wasn’t sure if she had held on at the line,” said rider Robert Whearty of the successful 5/2 favourite. “That is probably her minimum trip, and she will probably go back up to a mile and a half.”