Oneeightofamile lands maiden impressively
Confidently handled by Pat Smullen, the Catcher In The Rye gelding forged ahead well over a furlong down to score going away by five and a half lengths.
“He’s a nice horse and still learning”, reported Kiely. “He might go back to Dundalk for a handicap now.”
Smullen completed a 64-1 double when Nans Best battled on dourly to win the Narrow Space Gallery Handicap.
Old Kahuna, he’s now a 13-year-old, made a brave attempt from the front, but was worn down in the closing stages and beaten a length and three parts.
Trainer, Liam McAteer, said: “The plan now is to run this horse twice at Galway, in a handicap hurdle and a beginners chase.”
Ben Curtis, who partnered fourth placed Blaze Trailer, was suspended for two days and ordered to forfeit his riding fee, after failing to weigh in.
Pat Flynn saddled the 600th winner of his career when Galianna took the 2010 Sepam Tipperary Perpetual Cup by ten lengths. Set alight heading to the two furlong pole by Danny Grant, the mare was soon in total control. Commented Flynn: “The aim is the old GPT Handicap at Galway and she will go hurdling as well.”
Paul Townend brought Fairwood Bob from the clouds to win the Coolmore NH Sires Beginners Chase. He produced Philip Rothwell’s gelding from well off the pace to beat On Your Way and Celtic Strand.
“He likes good ground and has improved a bit for his break”, reported Rothwell. “He’s in a two mlies and six novice chase at Killarney next Tuesday, but we’ll wait and see what the handicapper does before deciding whether he will go or not.”
Gamble of the race was Edward O’Grady’s Taradoun, 5-2 to 7-4, but his jumping let him down and he never threatened to get competitive.
O’Grady quickly redressed the balance when Oola Lad, following a ridiculous three false starts, took the Kentz Group Handicap Chase. He led five out, after the leading Harbour Hall unseated his rider, and went down to the last with the contest in the bag.
Oola Lad, though, made a horrendous error at the obstacle, Patrick Mangan was lucky not to go out the side door, and was flat to the board close home to hold Old Hall. “We should get a medal for perseverance, that’s the first chase he’s ever won”, remarked O’Grady.
O’Grady completed a double, this time Andrew McNamara was in the plate, when Guzzle An Go defied top weight in the Eldons’ Bar Mares Handicap Hurdle.
This was a powerful performance by McNamara, who brought the five-year-old with a storming challenge on the stands side to get up close home. “She’s a sister to Whinstone Boy (winner of the Thyestes at Gowran Park) and should make a valuable brood mare one day”, said O’Grady.
