CAOIMHE O’Brien, a sister of established conditional Patrick, registered her first track success when guiding Hey Babbs to victory in the WTW Willis Ladies Handicap Hurdle. Starting off in handicap company and with a tongue-strap fitted for the first time, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained five-year-old was returned at 8/1 (from 16s early).
Content to bide her time on this Alan Smith-owned daughter of Shantou, O’Brien cajoled her mount into contention approaching the straight. Ridden in a close fifth away from two out, she made further inroads before the last and got to the front early on the run-in, keeping on strongly from there to win by three-and-three-quarters of a length.
“Oh my God, that was unreal,” the winning rider enthused. “I’m just so grateful to Dermot for putting me up on her and to the owner for trusting me, it’s definitely a day I won’t forget.”
Ladies’ day
Another lady rider got on the scoresheet in the concluding Park Run At Wexford Racecourse Saturday Mornings INH Flat Race, with Georgie Benson guiding Governors Rock to a three-and-a-half length win.
Trained by Peter Flood and owned by his mother Teresa, the Joshua Tree four-year-old was available at 33s in early shows for this 10-runner contest but was returned at just 6/1. Tracking the leaders on the outer, the €16,000 Tattersalls July Store Sale purchase was ridden to the front with over a furlong to go and kept on well, extending his advantage close home.
“He did a nice bit of work during the week and probably shocked me at how well he did it,” Benson disclosed. “He is definitely one for the future.”
Now you’re Talkin’
Tequila Talkin’ also looks to have a bright future ahead, with this Paul Nolan-trained six-year-old comfortably accounting for 11 rivals in a first time hood in the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On August 30th Mares Maiden Hurdle.
An encouraging third on her return from a lengthy layoff at Listowel, the Flemensfirth chesnut was sent off a 7/2 chance for owners Anne Coffey and Susan Spence. Improving into second and travelling best approaching the straight, she led before the last and was in command when left further clear, ultimately easing to a six-length win under Jordan Gainford.
“She ran well the last day, returning from a long break after an injury,” Nolan revealed. “We thought on her work at home that she had improved a nice bit.”
Well-earned double for Enright
PHILLIP Enright took both divisions of the WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle, with his brace coming in at nearly 112/1. The Tralee native had an easy time of it aboard Chosen Shant in the opening divide, with this nine-year-old registering a first career success on her 29th start.
Owned and trained by Aengus King and returned a 10/3 joint-favourite, the 91-rated victor made all. Soon establishing a clear lead, she extended her advantage from early on the final circuit and while not fluent over the last, ultimately sauntered to a 10-length win.
“I got her from Tom Meagher and I have to give her back in January or February as he wants to go breeding with her,” King explained. “She has plenty of options, she could go for a novice or try get some blacktype.”
Back to form
Enright had to work harder aboard Dontdooddson, with this 12-year-old rolling back the years in the second divide. Without a win in well over three-and-a-half years, the Darren Collins-trained veteran was returned at 25/1 in the colours of the Profit In Your Pocket Racing Club.
Down to a career low mark of 72, he improved to challenge on the outer approaching the second last and while soon in a share of the lead with Paul’s Dream, he outstayed that rival on the run-in, with three-quarters of a length between them at the line.
“We asked for Phillip to ride him as he won on him before. He said he would and that he’d do 10 stone, so fair play to him,” Collins reflected.
“If someone wants him, he is for sale.”
SMALL Town Hero has clearly turned a corner since joining Ian Donoghue’s yard, with this Jet Away five-year-old following-up on his Roscommon success in the first division of the Fleadh Cheoil Wexford Handicap Hurdle.
Dominating from flag fall with Close Enough, the pair alternated the lead and raced clear of the remainder of the field. Returned a 9/2 co-favourite, the Conor Stone-Walsh ridden victor appeared to be coming off second best approaching the straight, however he rallied gamely when ridden and edged to the front inside the final 100 yards, prevailing by half-a-length.
“I think on winter ground he might be a bit better. He is probably the slowest horse we have, but he is honest and tries and it means an awful lot,” Donoghue said of the Kilkenny Racing Syndicate-owned victor.
Gwanyaboya
Trained and ridden by Declan Queally, Tackletommywoowoo was a decisive winner of the second divide. Well-supported into 11/4 favouritism (from 7s early), the Gwanyaboya Syndicate-owned five-year-old was given a patient ride, making steady headway on the final circuit.
Pushed along to lead after two out, the 98-rated bay soon shot clear and extended his advantage on the run-in, coming home seven-and-a-half lengths to the good.
Homebred winner
While second on Phildante in that three-mile heat, JJ Slevin was earlier successful aboard Claude in the opening Kilmore Quay Maiden Hurdle.
Owned and bred by Michael Ryan and from the family of classic winner Finsceal Beo, the Joseph O’Brien-trained grey was the second choice of punters at 11/4 (4s early).
On what was his initial try over flights and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the Caravaggio four-year-old raced in second, before improving to lead after three out.
Pushed along approaching the straight and soon ridden, he edged to the rail after two out and denied Front Door Famous a run up his inner.
Pulling out more on the run-in, the well-bred victor came home three-lengths clear of his aforementioned rival. Slevin remarked: “It’s my first time in these colours and it’s great to have one for Mr Ryan.”