O’Grady has SunAlliance hopes for Catch Me
Edward O'Grady's Catch Me won the Thomastown Castle Race over 14 furlongs in smooth style and was quickly nominated a Cheltenham possibility for next March by his astute handler.
“He will either head next for the Vintage Crop Stakes (Navan) or else go out on grass”, said O'Grady. “It's been nice to get these two runs into him (he scored previously at the Curragh), but I think he might be a SunAlliance horse. He jumps well and that will be his target next season.”
The vultures were out in force in the morning and every price from 10-11 down was snapped up.
The best on track was 4-7, that too found favour, and Catch Me was returned 1-2.
There was never a doubt about the outcome, as the ex-German four-year-old travelled sweetly in mid-division.
Johnny Murtagh asked him to go about his business inside the two furlong pole and the son of former Irish Derby winner Law Society settled the issue in a matter of strides.
Michael Halford's newcomer Snaefell, a son of Danehill Dancer and also partnered by Murtagh, looked sure to take the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Maiden when striking the front over a furlong down.
He soon held a good two lengths advantage and defeat appeared out of the question, as Murtagh drove him for home.
Snaefell, however, suddenly began to run up and down in the one spot, as Tadhg O'Shea switched market rival, Little White Lie, to challenge.
Little White Lie found plenty for pressure and swept past to score by a snug neck in the end.
The Robert Tyner trained Askthemaster, carrying the colours of Cloyne, Co Cork businessman, Cyril Wall, burst clear with less than a furlong to run to justify favouritism to the tune of five lengths in the Bumper.
“I was fierce happy with him coming today”, admitted Tyner. “He was a different horse compared to the last day at Leopardstown, he has turned inside out.”
Tyner will wait before making any plans, but clearly the imposing son of Oscar is a horse with a bright future.
Dermot Weld's Queen Of Rap, who got off the mark by six lengths on this track a week earlier, made it two from two in the www.tipperaryraces.ie Race.
She led or disputed throughout and Pat Smullen only had to push her clear in the closing stages to easily beat Nerys by four lengths.
Luckyvera, fresh from finishing a close seventh behind Dame Noir at Cork at the weekend, took the Summer Barbeques At Tipperary Handicap.
She quickened into the lead inside the final furlong to beat The Crunch a comfortable length and a half.
“She's only a pony, but loves the ground and deserved that”, reported trainer, Joanna Morgan.
Baileysunice, a good third at Tramore previously, redeemed the promise of that effort when coming through late and fast to grab the Tipperary Racecourse Membership Maiden Hurdle.
By English 2000 Guineas winner Mister Baileys, he is trained at Monasterevin, Co Kildare by Seamus Fahey, is owned by his sister, Majella Crabbe, and was ridden by his brother, Peter.
“If he comes out of this alright, we might find something for him at Punchestown”, said the trainer.
Kevin Coleman produced the Francis Flood trained Joan's Girl with impeccable timing to ease to the front after the final flight and win the New Look Website Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Flood was represented by his son, Fran, who said: “She's been in since Listowel, but has given us trouble all season. It is good to see her bounce back with a win.”
