SIX times British Champion Jockey Kieren Fallon took the honours with a fine front-running ride on Oiche Mhaith Boy whose victory in the Coral.ie Download The App Handicap gave the rider his first winner in Ireland for almost five years.
Fallon, who announced last month that he was returning to his homeland as stable jockey to Michael O’Callaghan, was registering his first win on these shores since Recital claimed the 2011 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.
Fallon gave the Kieran Purcell inmate a canny ride on what was especially testing ground, allowing his rivals to close up on the approach to the straight but had saved plenty for when it mattered most. The 3/1 chance responded well to pressure to draw on from Pat Harkin entering the last furlong and he pulled away for a four and a quarter lengths triumph.
“He likes the ground. He won over hurdles here last month so I knew he’d like it around here and he had the form to win. He quickened up in the straight and surprised me how well he did given the ground,” remarked Fallon, whose mount is owned by Purcell, Noreen O’Higgins and Patrick Clune. “It’s great to be back riding winners here.”
DERMOT’S DOUBLE
Dermot Weld, Pat Smullen and Moyglare Stud shared in a double which was completed by a very gritty Malinka (4/6) in the Coral.ie Bet & Watch Irish And UK Racing Live Maiden.
This daughter of Pivotal showed promise last June and coped gamely with the sharply contrasting conditions. Malinka made her way past market rival Blue Skimmer with over a furlong to run and kept on willingly to see off that rival by three and a half lengths.
“She has a very good pedigree (daughter of the high class Mad About You),” reflected Smullen. “She’ll improve from this and she’s a very genuine filly which was a big help today as the ground is very deep. She was at the limit of her stamina.”
Orangey Red was the first leg of the Rosewell House team’s double as she made short work of her rivals in the Coral.ie EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.
The Moyglare Stud-owned daughter of Lawman came into this seven furlongs contest with a rating of 81 following four solid efforts as a juvenile and she went straight to the front. A couple of the pursuers threatened briefly nearing the last quarter of a mile but the evens favourite quickly shook them off to finish some nine and a half lengths clear.
“She came here fit and handled the ground. I used her experience and she won well in what looked an average race,” said Smullen.
Colonel Maximus, who finished in midfield in a strong Curragh maiden won by Embiran last month, made good progress to land the Coral.ie Best Price Guarantee On All Irish Races Maiden. Trained by Kevin Prendergast for his wife Leslie, the 2/1 shot came under pressure sooner than several of his rivals.
However, he answered every call for Chris Hayes to pull away from A Likely Story in the closing stages. “He’ll improve on better ground and hopefully there’s another one in him,” remarked Hayes.
SCORED IN STYLE
He had to wait 22 starts to open his account on the flat but when he did so Dragon Khan scored in some style, handing out an 18 lengths beating to his five opponents in the Coral.ie Paying 5 Places Online on the Grand National Handicap.
The Christy Roche-trained seven-year-old, whose flat career began in a Curragh maiden that featured Slade Power, made his fitness and ability to handle heavy ground count under apprentice Killian Leonard. The 15/8 favourite began to open up a big lead from three furlongs out and none of his rivals could land any sort of a meaningful blow. This was a fifth career success for the rider.
The Ken Condon-trained Niven shrugged off top weight to claim the Coral.ie sponsored three-year-old seven furlong handicap under Shane Foley. A Cork nursery winner on soft ground last autumn, the Elusive Pimpernel gelding bided his time off a strong pace and this tactic paid dividends. The always prominent Charlies Missile strode into a good lead entering the last quarter of a mile but he wilted inside the distance. The oncoming Niven went away in the last 100 yards to win by three and a half lengths. The winner carries the colours of the three man Cattle On The Road Syndicate.
“The plan was to be handy but they went very quick and Shane sensibly took his time,” commented Condon. “Seven furlongs or a mile on soft ground suits him.”
For the second year in succession Jealika captured the Coral sponsored 47-65 rated handicap over an extended six furlongs.
The Jean Bird-owned and bred five-year-old is a heavy ground specialist and duly rewarded those that backed her from 11/1 in the morning into 6/1. Conor Hoban’s mount was one of five that held every chance nearing the last furlong but she was much the strongest late on, defeating Tamisa by two and three-quarter lengths.
“She’s very effective on that ground. On the better ground she just lacks a gear. She’ll keep going until the ground dries out and then she’ll have a break,” reported trainer Mark Fahey.
ACTING STEWARDS
C. O’Mahony, Ms. V. Cooper, J. Murphy, F. Ward, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
NO WAY JACK (P. Martin): This gelding ran creditably under top weight when taking third in the handicap won by Jealika. He handles soft ground well and, while conditions remain his favour, he could be placed to advantage.
One-day bans
Leigh Roche was given a one day whip ban for his efforts on Dalton Highway who finished fifth in the maiden won by Colonel Maximus.
Gary Carroll was also given a one day ban which he got for careless riding in the fillies maiden.