COLIN KIDD’S versatile performer Rashaan is a credit to his connections and ground it out in the closing stages of Clonmel’s Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap, six days after finishing behind Wicklow Brave in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown to hold the renewed effort of St Lawrence Gap by a head.
Niall McCullagh had the leg up on this smart hurdler, who is owned in partnership by the trainer’s mother Amy and Roisin Treacy, and Colin Kidd said of the 7/4 favourite: “To think he ran in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown only last Friday – he’s as tough as teak and takes his racing so well. He’s brilliant and never knows when he’s beaten.
“He loves that ground – that’s the key to him.” The trainer ruled out a crack at the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot, commenting: “He travelled to Aintree and didn’t settle or eat or drink, but still ran unbelievable.
“We’ll keep him going at home for the summer, because there are plenty of good staying handicaps here and a hurdle or two along the way. The GPT (flat amateur handicap) springs to mind, but there are a few more between now and then.”
Apprentice Ana O’Brien was fortunate to escape serious injury in the second race when her mount Detailed tried to duck out 50 yards past the winning post in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.
O’Brien was unseated, but was able to walk back to the weigh-room. She fulfiled her engagement in the next race, only to be stood down for the remainder of the day due to a swollen leg after being re-examined by the Turf Club medical officer.
Aurora Butterfly, the 1/4 favourite, prevailed in the fillies’ maiden by one and a quarter lengths from Detailed in the colours of Madeleine Burns of Rathasker Stud to set up a quick double for Billy Lee and Willie McCreery.
“She’s well-bred,” said the trainer of his Irish Oaks entry. “She’s a half-sister to Diamond Green and the last foal out of the mare. She was unlucky the last couple of times, but has plenty of ability and would prefer an ease in the ground, even though the ground here is lovely.
“We’ll put her back to listed company and blacktype is what we want for her.”
SECOND SUCCESS
The trainer and jockey combination topped that win with a second success of the evening which came via Elm Grove’s decisive seven-length defeat of market leader Beechmount Whisper in the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Evening May 18th Handicap.
Now the winner of five races, the 7/2 chance was homebred by John and Ita Malone from just outside Naas who have been in the racing game for 40 years.
McCreery remarked: “I just thought she was so happy in the race and Billy had her in her rhythm and she travelled so well. She just needs a little bit of an ease, but she’s a little bit older and stronger now.
“It’s beautifully produced ground out there and they’ve done a great job. We’ll try and get some blacktype for her.”
The odds-on favourite Specific Gravity was 20lb ahead of his rivals in the St Patrick’s Well Claiming Race, but missed the break and idled in front in the latter stages where he was mugged by Damien English’s 11/2 shot Indian Tomahawk who snatched it on the line by a head under Shane Foley. The five-year-old was claimed back in by his trainer for €5,000 on behalf of the owner Noel Hayes.
Foley commented: “They went slow, but I had a good position. Colin (Keane) kicked for home, but he pulled-up in front and that gave my lad a chance to come back again. He had form in the book before.”
Curragh handler Paul Deegan saddled his wife Kate’s Mystery Gal to take the BBQ Evening Friday June 9th 45-65 Handicap at a price of 6/1.
Jockey Chris Hayes went to the front just inside the quarter-mile pole and kept up the gallop to withstand the effort of Manomine by half a length, with the hot-pot Nulife, reported to have jumped awkwardly, only fourth.
Deegan observed: “She ran very well the last day (when third behind Bay Hill), but is probably still a bit raw. She’s getting the hang of things and I think there’s another one in her. She was in front long enough today and that might be her trip, but I think she’ll stay further, depending on how aggressively she’s ridden.”
Kilkenny stables dominated the outcome of the Knockanrawley (QR) Maiden, but it was a Tipperary specialist in 25/1 outsider You Can’t Catch Me, with Johnny Barry in the saddle, who came out best by a three-length margin to claim the prize, for Kieran Purcell and his daughter Elaine, from Magna Carter. The favourite, Lachares, was a further two and three-quarter lengths away in third.
Four of You Can’t Catch Me’s five wins have come over this course and Purcell said: “He loves this place and the ground. I was expecting him to run well, but thought he would need the run. I might go for another flat race and then go back jumping.”
There was a tight finish to the Knockanrawley 45-65 Handicap between Talsara and Micras and the judge’s verdict went to the Dylan Hogan-ridden 16/1 shot Micras who shaded it by a nose.
The George Moore-owned Medicean mare is in the care of Pat Fahy who reflected: “I went into the second spot because I didn’t get to see the finish of the race and genuinely thought, judging by the commentary, that she was beaten.
“I’ll give her a nice break now and would like to see her coming back here for a similar type of race.
“She’s handicapped over fences as well.”
ACTING STEWARDS
P. F. Ronan, P. Coveney, Mrs F. Ward, P.D. Matthews.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
BEECHMOUNT WHISPER (P.J. Prendergast): Runner-up to Elm Grove in the one-mile, one-furlong plus handicap, he would undoubtedly have finished closer had he not met with trouble in running at a vital stage on his return to the flat.