DONNACHA O’Brien’s red-hot run of form continued into this low key replacement fixture where the jockey reeled off a treble that began aboard the smart Gossamer Wings in Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden.
This five-furlong affair looked the pick of the day’s contests and Gossamer Wings was the 4/6 favourite to build on a good third to Just Wonderful at the Curragh last month. A return to five furlongs was no problem for the Aidan O’Brien-trained daughter of Scat Daddy who made her way to the head of the field shortly after halfway. On the run to the last furlong, Gossamer Wings had quickened into a useful lead and she showed a fine attitude in the closing stages to hold the promising newcomer Rita Levi by half a length.
“She had a good run the last day in what was probably a good maiden. I got there too soon and she got a bit lonely in front but when the other horse came to me she went away again,” said the winning rider.
Donnacha O’Brien then teamed up with his brother Joseph as Arthurian Fame, who began his career with runner-up finishes at Cork and the Curragh, secured the 10-furlong maiden. This race attracted a very disappointing three-runner turnout leaving the China Horse Club-owned winner with the most straightforward of tasks and he produced an assured effort from the front. The 4/11 favourite responded well when asked to assert inside the last couple of furlongs he was always keeping the chasing Laajidaal at bay.
“He had the form to that and I got it easy up front. He quickens nicely and he’s uncomplicated and hopefully he will progress from here,” reported Donnacha O’Brien.
The O’Brien brothers also struck with the improving Pedisnap (11/8) who made it two wins from her last three starts in the 45-65 rated mile handicap. The John Farrell-owned and bred filly was making her third appearance in eight days having won at Gowran eight days previously before then returning to that track to finish a close second to Texas Radio on Monday. The four-year-old led nearing the last furlong and then maintained a clear advantage over the chasing Invincible Queen.
“She was a bit unlucky last time and won well before that. Things worked out nicely today and she’s done that well. She’s very versatile and hopefully we can get another one or two with her,” stated the rider.
GOOD PREPARATION
Just three days after having to settle for the runner-up spot behind Wentwood at Listowel, the Paddy Twomey-owned and trained Understate made amends with a straightforward success from the front in the mile maiden. The 11/8 favourite moved into a commanding lead for Billy Lee with over a quarter of a mile to run. California Jumbo closed in steadily over the course of the last furlong but Understate had done enough to get home by a neck.
“Sunday was a nice prep for this and I was hoping that he would go and do that. He’s a nice horse who I’ve had since he was a foal so it’s nice when it works out like that. He’s progressive,” commented Twomey.
Bellick (12/1) maintained John McConnell’s impressive run of form in the near six-furlong handicap. A fourth winner in just over three weeks for the trainer, the Colin Keane-ridden gelding came here off an encouraging handicap debut at Tipperary where he was third to Summerseat Dream. The three-year-old finished strongly over the last furlong to record a one-length triumph over Rising Eagle.
“The ground was a worry as some of the Maysons like an ease and it was much quicker than at Tipperary but it’s well watered. He’s a nice little horse and he’s just learning about sprinting,” declared McConnell whose charge is owned by the Rockview Racing Club.
FIRST WIN
Spiral Galaxy credited Anthony McCann with his first triumph of the season as he put his rivals to the sword in style in the 10-furlong handicap. The 14/1 chance wasn’t at his best at Tipperary last month but his two previous runs at Dundalk gave him a live chance and this race was as good as over when he snuck through in the inner for Oisin Orr to lead over a furlong from home. In the colours of the Up Monaghan Syndicate, Spiral Galaxy stormed clear to defeat Camile by four and a half lengths.
“I just had to put a line through his last run and the visor (first time) probably sharpened him up,” reflected McCann. “He’s a nice horse who jumps well and it’s great for the syndicate. They all knew Oliver (Brady) and Up Monaghan was one of his favourite sayings so we thought why not use that name.”
The card concluded with a 16/1 surprise as Gordon Elliott’s Smiling Eliza bagged the first success of her career in the three-year-old 10-furlong handicap.
The market was headed by the four-timer chasing Rockfish but he could do no more from over two furlongs out and it was at this point that Declan McDonogh got Smiling Eliza to the front. The Gordon Elliott Racing Club-owned filly showed a fine attitude to remain in front and she got to the line with three parts of a length to spare over Baba Boom.
“She’s a very straightforward filly and I got a nice lead into the race. She stayed at it well once she got there although she was pricking her ears and some headgear might help her concentrate,” observed McDonogh.
Bans
DONNACHA O’Brien picked up a two-day careless riding ban after winning on Gossamer Wings, Chris Hayes got a two-day whip ban after partnering Roses Queen into third in the race won by Smiling Eliza, and Robbie Colgan was given a three-day whip suspension for his efforts on Jensen in the handicap won by Spiral Galaxy.
ACTING STEWARDS
L. McFerran, Mrs V. Cooper, E. Galvin, J. Rearden, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
USRA (K.J. Condon): This daughter of Requinto progressed from her first to her second run and made further progress to finish third to Gossamer Wings in what looked quite a reasonable two-year-old maiden. She can do better still and it shouldn’t be too long before she is making her mark.