THE weather played ball for Sligo’s well-attended ‘Ladies’ Day’ meeting and there was a good spread of winners, with some smaller yards enjoying success along with a couple of the powerhouse stables.
Bunclody-based Tony Black, assisted by his son Richie, saddled the free-going Speisialta (14/1) to upset locally-trained 1/3 favourite Circus Hill in the Martin Reilly Hyundai Mares Maiden Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs.
Having her first run over jumps, Austin Fanning’s well-related six-year-old was soon in front for Eoin Staples and, despite never dropping the bridle at any stage, kept up the gallop to readily beat the market leader by 14 lengths.
“She’s a Walk In The Park and is just tricky, she does everything at a hundred miles an hour,” said Black.
“She ran well in her first bumper at Punchestown on heavy, and today’s good ground was ideal for her. She’s brilliant to jump, and hopefully she’ll settle down at some stage.”
Tricky type
The Willie Mullins-trained Ivana d’Alco (3/1) ran very freely, but still proved too strong for her rivals when making most in the Mulhern Leonard Accountants Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.
Brian Hayes’ mount saw off the challenge of disappointing odds-on favourite Cut The Rope before the last and pulled out enough to beat the staying-on Mr Caulfield by a length and a quarter.
A point-to-point winner for Jonathan Fogarty, the daughter of Ivanhowe is owned by Michael Quinlan.
“She’s her own worst enemy, and Brian did the right thing by letting her stride on,” said assistant trainer, Patrick Mullins.
“He said she half-bolted with him on the way to the start, and she needs the hood as well as the tongue-tie. I’m looking forward to going chasing with her, she’ll settle better over fences.”
LUKER’S Tipple followed up a facile maiden win at Downpatrick in the Kilcawley Construction Rated Novice Hurdle over two miles, two furlongs.
Plenty of late money saw him go off the 6/4 favourite and Keith Donoghue, in the Gavin Cromwell Racing Limited colours, got first run on Manoir De Mirande, who had gone the opposite way in the market.
At the line, the market principals were separated by two and three-quarter lengths, and Donoghue reflected: “I was a bit negative about him after Downpatrick, because he had taken so long to win, but he came out of that run absolutely bouncing.
“He likes nice ground and small fields seem to suit. He’s been in great form at home, at a time when a lot of ours have been below par.”
Change of luck
The complete outsider of the field at 40/1, the Shane Fitzgerald-ridden In The Minus came through after the last to take the Lighthouse At Clifford Electric Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.
Christopher Moran’s four-year-old was unextended to beat Bruant by three and three-quarter lengths and former rider and now jockeys’ agent Alain Cawley, brother of the winning trainer, said: “Brian fancied him at Galway, but he got stopped everywhere.
“He said this good ground is what he wants and thought, even though he’s by Belardo, that this trip would be no problem. He’s out sunning himself in Spain at the moment.”
The Cawleys’ younger brother Paul won the amateur riders’ handicap at Leopardstown less than an hour later.
POINT-TO-POINT winner Missouri Snow (9/1) made a winning rules debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Mares) (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race for owner Judith Long and trainer Nigel Slevin.
Plenty held chances early in the straight and Harry Swan’s mount found plenty off the bridle to score by three-parts of a length from Ballito Beauty.
“She is very well related on the dam’s side,” said Slevin. “Harry rode her when she won her point-to-point. She was green that day and it sharpened her up.
“When we didn’t get her sold (at Cheltenham in April), we said we’d rock on with her. She went through the gap quickly when it opened, and it was a good performance.”
Justice prevails
Justicialism (13/2) recorded a third career success in decisive fashion when taking the SIS Handicap Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs.
Owned by Norman and Angela Houston, the Vadamos gelding went on from three out and was eased close home by Oran McGill to beat Phoenix Arizona by four lengths.
“It’s a long time since he won, but he’s been touching the door,” said winning trainer Noel Kelly.
“Oran wanted to make it, but there were too many who wanted to lead, so he changed plans. He is a bit of a thinker, so I didn’t start shouting till late on!”
Summer of fun
Declan Queally is a dab hand at placing some of his lesser performers and the patiently-handled Oh So Charming (7/2) landed the Westcare Home Care Claiming Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs.
Kevin Healy’s mount led after two out to beat God Of Thunder by two and a quarter lengths and, with the trainer on lead-up duties, owner Sean Browne was on hand to sing his praises.
“I’ve had five horses with Declan, and four have won between point-to-points and the track,” he said.
“I bought this fella for a thousand guineas in Newmarket, at the Horses In Training Sale. He was the last horse into the ring that night.
“He’s a bit of a rogue and has his own ideas, but I’ve had two summers of fun out of him anyway.”
There was a successful friendly claim for third-placed Rich Belief, with no claims for anything else.