ON his favoured polytrack Moviesta has few peers and the classy sprinter once again turned up in all his glory at Dundalk to record an impressive success in the Racing Post Handicap.
The seven-year-old was burdened with a weight of 10st 7lb and though that was partially offset by Robbie Downey’s 3lb claim, he still looked to face a stiff task as he had yet to find his form this season. However the seven-year-old was backed from 9/2 into 11/4 favourite on course and duly rewarded the faith of his supporters in the five-furlong feature.
After initially taking his time off the pace Moviesta came to deliver a strong challenge inside the last quarter of a mile and it wasn’t long before he had taken control of the race. Go Kart was the one that gave him most to do but she was still two and three-quarter lengths adrift at the line.
“He’s rated 107, which makes it hard to compete, but around here he’s mustard and he’s done a good time there,” said Eddie Lynam who trains the former Group 2 winner for Harry Redknapp, Will Salthouse and Ritchie Fiddes. “Obviously the Mercury Stakes back here in October will be a target for him and we’ll try to see can he bring this form back to turf.”
Donnacha O’Brien ended the day with a double, which he achieved on a pair of Flaxman Stables-owned three-year-olds, and the second of these to oblige was Diodorus in the Download The Ladbrokes App Maiden. The 95-rated son of the brilliant Divine Proportions was placed at listed level last season and his overall form was much the best on offer.
The blinkered 4/9 favourite had to work a good deal harder than his odds suggested though and he looked to be in big trouble when Winston Wolfe came upsides with over a furlong to run. The latter possibly edged ahead at one point but the Aidan O’Brien-trained winner rallied well in the closing stages to prevail by a neck.
“It was probably harder work than expected but he has ability and when he got going I did actually feel I’d get back up,” stated the jockey.
Earlier O’Brien teamed up with his brother, Joseph, as Dilmun built on an encouraging comeback fourth behind Petticoat at Leopardstown to take the Bet Now With The Ladbrokes App Maiden. That Leopardstown race had already produced three subsequent winners and Dilmun was the 6/4 favourite to take advantage of a good opportunity. The Flaxman Stables-owned daughter of War Front cruised by Barca with over a furlong to run and she went on to finish two and three-quarter lengths ahead of that rival.
“She had a nice run the last day and I think she could step up to a mile and a quarter as she relaxes well,” declared the winning rider.
sparingly campaigned
The sparingly campaigned All Body And Soul (4/1) notched up his third course and distance victory in the Ladbrokes-sponsored mile and a half handicap.
Rekindling’s elder brother was making just the 10th start of his career and he put himself in with every chance of victory approaching the last furlong. He then finished off strongly for Pat Smullen to carry the day by two and a quarter lengths.
“Pat was really good on him and he probably wants a bit further,” remarked Tracey Collins. “Even though he’s five he’s still a big, raw horse and I’d imagine he will go hurdling at some stage.”
Meanwhile, Ana O’Brien continues to set a brisk pace at the head of the apprentice rider’s championship and she made it 17 wins for the season on Nutcracker Suite (7/1) in the Download The Ladbrokes App Handicap. The Ballydoyle representative looked to find a mile beyond her last time and the switch back to seven furlongs was ideal for her. The Fastnet Rock filly travelled smoothly to get into contention early in the straight and she ran on well from over a furlong out to see off the top weight Melisandre by a length.
Dundalk specialist Six Silver Lane (6/1) notched up the 12th win of his 76 race career in the Ladbrokes Claiming Race over a mile. The Johnny Feane-owned and trained nine-year-old had something to find with several of his rivals on ratings but he enjoyed a straight forward success from the front.
Shortly after turning in it was clear that Colin Keane’s mount had most of his rivals beaten and he readily contained the effort of Seanie to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
“He’s won over 10 furlongs in the past so I let him bowl along in front to draw the sting out of the others. He loves it around here,” reflected the winning rider.
Zippy (4/1) followed-up last month’s Tipperary triumph in the 45-65 rated Ladbrokes App Handicap over a mile. As she looked to continue a good run for trainer Johnny Levins the Donagh O’Connor-ridden four-year-old led early in the straight and from well over a furlong out this race was in safe keeping.
The Esteem Racing Club-owned four-year-old crossed the line a length and three-quarters ahead of Stamp Of Authority.
“The plan was to be a bit further back but she broke well and was a little keen so I wasn’t going to fight her,” reported the rider. “I got to the front a got bit sooner than ideal but she saw it out well.”
ACTING STEWARDS
N.B. Wachman, F. Cahill, P. Molony, F.G. Fitzsimons, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
PERSINA (T.J. Taaffe): This four-year-old, who ran once in Germany, ran creditably on her Irish debut when finishing fourth behind Diodorus. She should progress nicely from this outing and a maiden success could come her way this season.