A LIGHTNING storm before race three at Down Royal last Saturday saw that race go off six minutes late, and the going description change to soft after a general yielding for all tracks before the action.
Trainer John Feane was happy enough to see the rain as Spruce Meadows returned to winning ways.
No less than 8mm of precipitation caused the ground to soften up, much to the liking of Spruce Meadows for the Weatherbys General Studbook Handicap.
This six-year-old has been a grand servant to owner Ann Cassidy, but he was searching for a first win in over two years.
Apprentice rider Ben Coen continues to gain admirers and he took the reins on the nicely supported 7/2 market-leader for the first time.
After Spruce Meadows accounted for fellow well-fancied runners Severus Alexander and Mallacoota by two lengths and the same, Feane said: “A little bit of soft ground helped him because he is getting a little bit older.
“He was entitled to win down in that grade. He ran well in Leopardstown. We’ll see what the handicapper does.”
No matter how the assessor reacts the likeable Spruce Meadows will at some stage be able to add further to his career haul of six wins.
Hefty punt
The featured Ladbrokes Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap rounded off the programme and the longest flat race in the country saw Dinard Rose land a hefty punt.
Noel Meade’s lightly weighted three-year-old filly ended up the 11/4 favourite from an opening show of 5/1 on track.
Winning owner Mrs T. Walsh is better known to the racing public as Nina Carberry, former crack amateur rider.
Winning conncetions were undoubtedly well pleased to see the Champs Elysees filly show her staying power to resist Linger by four lengths.
Ben Coen’s first-cousin Andrew Slattery did the steering on the progressive type, three times a winner this summer.
“This was the plan for quite some time. We felt the trip would suit her well as she stays,” reflected Meade.
“I’d imagine if she gets into the Cesarewitch she’ll probably run in it, and if the ground was soft it would be a help because it slows the others down and she does go through it.”
JOSEPH O’Brien started the day on the right note when Lady Penelope won the opening juvenile sprint fillies’ maiden for M. Eves.
The 4/7 chance made all in the hands of O’Brien’s brother Donnacha, to score by a convincing three and three-quarter lengths.
Both splits of the Racing TV Handicap saw noteworthy winners.
Universal Focus has served owner John Bowden and trainer Ross O’Sullivan well. The six-year-old won again, under what O’Sullivan described as “an absolute beauty of a ride,” from Billy Lee, going to post at 7/1.
Maunganui (16/1) could be sales bound according to his handler Jarlath Fahey, after registering a second career win, in the concluding division under Shane Foley.
Homebred by his owner Gerry Callanan, at Nanallac Stud in Monasterevin, Maunganui had his profile boosted further by a subsequent win for the second-placer, Liars Corner, at Roscommon on Monday.
Jim Ryan, another Co Kildare stud farm owner, sent out Pulse Of Shanghai (7/2) from his Milltown, Newbridge base, to score a narrow win in the Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend Maiden.
Owned by Ryan’s wife Geraldine, this Dragon Pulse gelding showed a good attitude for Rory Cleary’s urgings, to get the better of outsiders Strong Johnson and Son And Sannie by a short-head and a neck.
THERE was a real National Hunt feel about the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden (Plus 10 Race).
Thunder and lightning and a bad hail shower before the seven-furlong contest, made it a tough test for the 14 juveniles.
In the circumstances, winner Natural Power (11/8 favourite) had all the right people in his corner, owned and trained by Dot Love and ridden by Robbie Colgan.
To complete the jumping link the Slade Power colt was bred by Gigginstown House Stud. He may well turn out to be a contender for the final of this series, judging by the way he defeated Cliffs Of Freedom. Two and a half lengths split them.
Co Tyrone handler Andy Oliver kept northern punters happy as Simply True (7/1 into 9/2) obliged in the Taylor Group Nursery Handicap (Plus 10 Race).
Myrcella didn’t get the run of the race and finished a half-length runner-up. Market-leader Eclector was the same distance back in third.
Oliver commented, after his charge had made most for Ronan Whelan: “We just spoke to Ronan beforehand and said to keep it simple. The rain getting into it meant that it is hard for a horse to come from behind.
“Ronan gave it a great ride. He hasn’t ridden for me much before but he is a very, very good rider and it just worked out today. He has a couple of rides for me. May this be the start of a good association!
“I’m delighted, and the chap we train for, J. P. Ledwidge, is a good supporter of mine so it is nice to get things rolling for him.
“He handled soft ground but he is such a good mover that I wouldn’t have been seeking it out. We declared on good to yielding ground. That (soft ground) came and it didn’t inconvenience him.
“It could open up possibilities that I am not ground dependent.”