MERCURY Mission recorded his third win this year when taking the featured Neville Hotels Handicap Hurdle at Wexford. Trained by Philip Rothwell, the 6/1 shot made headway early in the straight and, after striking the front at the final flight, he held off a number of challenges on the run-in. At the line, Calum Hogan’s mount had a neck to spare over Feud.
Rothwell said: “Calum gave him an exceptional ride. He’s been a very lucky horse for us this year, winning three times for new owners (IRE Asset Holding Limited) to me. It’s lovely to have a winner and the horses are going well.”
McSweeney repaid for patience
Trainer Con McSweeney recorded his first winner under rules, as Corbally Cross stayed on strongly under Richie Condon to take Division l of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle.
Well supported from 9/1 into 9/2, the son of Malinas was always to the fore, before taking over in front after three out. Pushed along to assert between the final two flights, Corbally Cross kept on well for a two-and-a-half-length victory from Technology.
Con McSweeney said: “I’ve had plenty of winners in point-to-points, but that’s my first winner under Rules. We only have a handful of horses. He got a bad injury about a year ago and all the vets told us to put him down, but I held onto him.
“His first run back, he won a point-to-point and now he’s after winning on the track. There is a great group of owners, Joe O’Sullivan and PJ Murphy and my wife Niamh. I’m a Cork man from just outside Cork City.”
Saving the day
Small Town Hero completed a hat-trick in Division II of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle. Conor Stone-Walsh again adopted front-running tactics and the 9/4 favourite asserted approaching the penultimate flight. Despite pecking on landing after the last, the gelding kept on well to score by nine lengths from No Fussing.
Trainer Ian Donoghue said: “He’s been a good buy now, even if he never wins again. It’s the first horse the boys (Kilkenny Racing Syndicate) have had and he’s honest. I wish I had a yard of them like him.
“Conor said he didn’t realise how far ahead he was after the last, but he’s that honest and would gallop all day.
“We’ll probably give him a break now and we’ll make use of his chase mark hopefully.”
A RUNAWAY winner over course and distance last month, the Aengus King-trained Chosen Shant doubled her career tally when following up in the BoyleSports Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Phillip Enright was content to take a lead on the 9/2 chance, before taking over in front after three out. Pushed along to extend her advantage after the penultimate flight, Chosen Shant stayed on strongly to win well by a length and three-quarters from Influential Lady.
Owner/trainer Aengus King said: “She’s surprised us since we’ve got her, and she loves it around here. She jumps better with a lead, so we were lucky that we had one to bring us along today.
“Phillip sat in behind and things worked out. Hopefully there is another one or two in her, if the handicapper is not too hard on her, and we might look for something back here again.”
Leading Lady
Point-to-point winner Lady Doyanne made a winning rules debut for owners Charobana Ltd, when keeping on nicely under Darragh O’Keeffe to win the opening Think Print & Design Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 6/4 favourite, the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare led at the penultimate flight, just doing enough to hold the late run of The Monkey Pole by half a length.
Darragh O’Keeffe said: “She jumped great and travelled into the race well. She’ll come on from the run. Hopefully the owners will have a bit of fun with her. There is quite a stiff headwind in the straight and they got a bit of rain last night, but in fairness it is lovely ground.”
Overdue win
Mephisto gained an overdue National Hunt win when landing Division l of the Traynors Of Wexford Handicap Hurdle. Shane Fitzgerald rode a patient waiting race on the 11/1 chance, working his way through the field to track the leaders entering the straight.
Heading Teenage Kiss over a furlong out, the Restricted Movement Syndicate-owned grey stayed on well to score by two and a half lengths. Trainer Gerry Keane said: “It’s been a long time coming with that fella over jumps. He’s a bit of a rogue. When he turns up he’s grand, but he minds himself. He’s won two on the flat for us as well. I think he’s handicapped over fences as well, so he’ll probably mix it and can run over two miles at Dundalk as well.”
FAVOURITE-backers would have been on good terms with themselves after the Gavin Cromwell-trained My Good Pal won Division ll of the Traynors Of Wexford Handicap Hurdle under Billy Coonan.
Sent off 7/2 favourite, the gelding travelled strongly into the race, coming through to lead early in the home straight. Staying on strongly close home, the market leader prevailed by two lengths from Miss Lia.
Billy said: “He likes to keep it simple out in front with a lot of daylight. I just tried to wait as long as I could and, when I felt something come at me, I sent him on. He seems to stay well and a step up in trip could help again. He’s a family-owned (Yellow Sticker Syndicate) horse, so at least I can’t get jocked off!”
Consistency is key
The John and Thomas Kiely-trained Fraher Field gained just reward for some consistent runs when getting back up close home to win the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Leading from flag fall under John Gleeson, the 9/4 chance was headed by Sellerna Bay inside the final furlong. However, with the latter wandering in front, the Kiely-trained mare got back up to win by half a length.
John Gleeson reported: “She’s ran a couple of times with great credit. I’m delighted to ride a winner for those owners, the Flynn family and Conor Lannen. They are obviously local people in Dungarvan, so to ride a winner in these colours is brilliant.”