COLIN Keane moved one ahead (56-55) of Dylan Browne McMonagle in the flat jockeys’ championship when partnering a quickfire 89/1 double in the opening two races, highlighted by the victory of Lady Lunette in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap.
The Karen Curtin-owned daughter of Buratino showed a smart turn of foot at the furlong pole and soon settled the issue to beat the hat-trick-seeking Thatwilldoso by two and a half lengths. “She was the class filly in the race, giving away lumps of weight and when things fall her way, she’s very good. A small field probably helped her,” said Kilkenny trainer Ray Cody of the 9/1 winner.
“The last day in Leopardstown she hated the firm ground, but I thought on her run in Down Royal she would take a lot of beating. The owners would like to get her some blacktype and, if things fell her way in a small field, she’s well capable of getting it.”
In-demand jockey
Keane was also seen to good effect aboard Antoine De Paris (11/1-8/1) in the Carlsberg Optional Claiming Race, getting on top inside the final furlong to beat Tartaraghan by a length and three-quarters.
“Ado (McGuinness) was standing beside me on the stand and I said he’d probably be claimed and Ado said he’d want to claim the jockey as well!” said trainer Noel Meade. “We put him in light enough, so he had his chance. He’s not very big but he’s genuine enough.”
Meade added: “He’s named after the comedian Noel V Ginnity who is a regular racegoer, but unfortunately, he’s not here this evening. When Noel was a hairdresser in London, he was known in the salon as Antoine De Paris, who was a famous hairdresser. Noel told me this story and, because he is small and the horse is small, we gave him this name.” The Elzaam gelding was subsequently claimed for €10,000 by TSM Racing Syndicate to be trained by Noel Kelly.
FELIX Somary, available at 14/1 this morning and sent off at half those odds, is held in high regard by Currabeg trainer John O’Donoghue and showed good speed throughout to make a winning debut in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden. The Acclamation colt wrestled back the lead entering the straight and showed a good attitude under Ronan Whelan to hold off Raphello by a head.
“He looked very professional there and thankfully we had Ronan on board. We were fourth in this race last year with Jareth, who made it to 95, and we think this guy is a fair bit better than him,” said O’Donoghue. “I think we’ll look at the Killavullan and we’ll work our way back. I think he likes an ease and he’s big and scopey, so hopefully he’s a nice three-year-old.”
Off the mark
Undefeatable justified good support in the Baader - Eddie Carr PBR 2000 Handicap, getting on top inside the final 150 yards under Wesley Joyce to beat Pinmoney by two and a half lengths.
“He was unlucky a few starts ago in Down Royal and coming back in trip was a help,” said Kevin Smith, who trains the 3/1 winner for the Royals & Tribes Syndicate.
Chopsticks (13/2-9/2) got off the mark in no uncertain manner on his 20th career start in the concluding Rockshore Cider Handicap. Trained by John McConnell for Sean Dalton, the Zoffany gelding led approaching the straight and soon shot clear before keeping on strongly under Chris Hayes to beat Arcland by five lengths.
“It was very falsely run and John said he’d like me to be fairly handy. We crept around and, when the leader faded away, I gave him one little dig and he just took off in a couple of strides,” explained Hayes.
GABRIELLA Hill heads off to a new challenge in Newmarket next week, but not before riding out her 10lb claim aboard Trubshaw (4/1) in the Guinness Handicap. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding made most and kept on gamely in the closing stages to hold off God The Highness by a head.
“He’s come on a lot in his last few runs and it’s great to get a win in the family colours (owned in partnership by her father Ben and Kim Bartlett). He was lovely and relaxed today,” said Hill after partnering her third winner, although she did pick up a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
“I’m getting the boat over to Newmarket on Monday to join Stuart Williams. He has a good few horses and I’m looking forward to it.”
Lucky owners
Prominent tactics also proved fruitful for Prairie Echoes, who made virtually all in the John Gilligan Memorial Nursery Handicap. The 14/1 shot dug deep for Gary Carroll inside the final furlong to prevail by three-quarters of a length from Glamazon and Andosky, who dead-heated for the runner-up spot.
“She worked very well and we knew she was up to winning a nursery, but a horse disappointed badly in the Ballyhane that would have been working with her and that knocked confidence,” said trainer Kieran Cotter. “She’s a sharp filly who handles this type of track well and liked the little bit of dig in the ground. Gary gave her a great ride. The lads that were involved with Matilda Picotte own her and she’s by Sioux Nation as well.”