HALF the eight races were on the level and we witnessed a couple of promising winners in the maidens.
Red Stars got the action underway with a bang, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden. The daughter of Manduro vindicated the promise displayed in two previous outings to justify strong 11/8 favouritism for her owner-breeder Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd.
In another advertisement for the juvenile fillies’ maiden at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, the Declan McDonogh-ridden Red Stars ran out a convincing two and a half-length winner over Lady Valeur.
“She was entitled to win that. She was a bit keen early on but she’s learning to relax and we took the hood off her today,” explained successful trainer John Oxx’s assistant, ‘Slim’ O’Neill.
At the other end of the financial scale, Sean Jones’ Cape Aqraan (33/1) upstaged several more strongly-touted rivals in the www.roscommonracecourse.ie Maiden.
Aidan O’Brien’s debutant, Prospector, a half-brother to Mastercraftsman, went off an uneasy market-leader, before finishing only eighth.
Colin Keane, aboard Cape Aqraan, a gelded son of Cape Cross, having his second run, got the better of the pace-setting Ebazziyr, by two and three-quarters of a length.
Shane Lyons, brother of winning trainer, Ger, said: “He was all at sea on his first start. He’s growing into himself and he’s a horse to look forward to. He wants soft ground.”
Unfortunately the Athlone Apprentice Handicap turned out to be, in the words of triumphant rider, Ian Queally, “a rough race.” Queally guided home Tawseef (8/1) to score for Colin Bowe and the First Not Last Syndicate.
Firstly, Sheilas Wish, reportedly contesting her final race, came down early in the mile and a half event and was fatally injured.
Gary Halpin and Our Rachael later parted company around four furlongs out. The in-form rider was left “battered, bruised, and swollen with a small foot injury,” but only expects to be sidelined for seven to 10 days.
Denis Linehan came home in third place on Smiler, half a length and a neck behind Tawseef and Mallory Heights. He was deemed to have ridden carelessly in the incident where Our Rachael ran short of room and collided with the running rail. Linehan incurred a seven-day ban.
MCCREERY AND LEE
The other handicap, the Follow Roscommon On Facebook-titled extended seven-furlong contest, saw in-form pair, Willie McCreery and Billy Lee, on the mark again. The Ralmon Sousa-owned Expreso Brasileiro (9/4 favourite), put his rivals to the sword from over a furlong out for a four-length verdict over Oor Jock.
“I rode him more patiently today. He takes his racing well (third run in 11 days) so he’ll probably be out again soon,” remarked Lee.
The Game Changer carried off the main prize of the meeting, the Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase.
Only four went to post but we were treated to a compelling spectacle as The Game Changer (well-backed 11/10 second favourite) travelled with his usual power, as the odds-on Sizing Platinum attempted to make all.
He couldn’t get the Gordon Elliott-handled and Bryan Cooper-partnered The Game Changer off the bridle though. The Game Changer got in close to the last but flicked over economically before accounting for Sizing Platinum by two and a half lengths.
The Game Changer had an option at Tipperary on Sunday but Elliott was thinking longer term with Gigginstown House Stud’s Arcadio gelding, saying: “I’ll give him a break on the real heavy ground in the winter and he’ll come back in the spring for the big festivals.”
MULLINS’ HELPING HAND
There was the unusual sight of Danny Mullins shoving Jody McGarvey back into the saddle, after Old Supporter blundered at the sixth in the Roscommon On-Course Vets Handicap Chase. That joint second-favourite had to pull up soon after.
At the business end it was Colms Dream (6/1 into 5/1) who comprehensively came out on top to the tune of nine and a half lengths from Churchfield Champ.
Donagh Meyler did the steering for the Colm’s Dream Syndicate and Karl Thornton and the Beneficial gelding was set to bid for a quick follow-up, under a mandatory penalty, at Clonmel on Thursday.
The ladies dominated the other couple of races, the Julie White-owned and Sabrina Harty-trained mare, Edith Somerville (13/2 into 11/2) upstaging the geldings in the Munsboro Maiden Hurdle.
Andrew Lynch’s mount was two and three-quarters of a length and three lengths too strong for Time For Action and Moylisha Tim, prompting her handler to remark: “She’ll only improve and she loves racing. She’ll jump a fence in time, as she’s a big mare, and she’ll be nice next year.”
The favourite Rocky Bleier faded to finish seventh and he was reported to be distressed and blowing hard post-race. His jockey, Adrian Heskin, said his mount ran too free during the early stages.
Denis Hogan got a fall here from Eiri Na Casca, sustaining what appeared to be ligament or tendon damage to a shoulder. He was set for an MRI scan to assess things fully.
First across the line in the closing race of the year at the Racecourse Road venue was appropriately named Last Goodbye (evens), for the executors of the late Fred Doyle, and his daughter Liz, in the Frenchpark (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
After the well-related Goffs Land Rover Bumper eighth had won by three lengths from Earth Sister, Miss Doyle disclosed: “My dad died last October and this was the last horse I bought for him, hence the name. It’s a special and emotional win.”
She added: “He pulled hard, was very green and he’ll improve. He’s for sale so hopefully someone will buy him to stay in the yard.”