Byrnes strikes at the double with gambled on pair
Cyborg, trained by David Elsworth before joining Byrnes’ string, was backed into odds-on favouritism for the Bellewstown finale, the www.pacon.ie Amateur Handicap and, ridden by Roger Quinlan, scraped home by a a short-head from the Katie Walsh-ridden Paramount.
A relieved Byrnes said: “It was a bit too tight for my liking. But he seemed to find a bit extra when Katie’s horse got to him. I’d say the owner is keen to go to Galway but I’m not sure whether he’ll run on the flat or over hurdles up there.”
Meanwhile, at Wexford, Byrnes’ Alfa Beat, which landed a gamble on his first start for the yard at Roscommon last month, was supported from 3/1 to 13/8 before following-up in the Irish Daily Mirror Ladies Day Handicap Chase.
The grey six-year-old, ridden by Brian Byrnes, proved six lengths too strong for Bernebeu. Future plans will be determined by the handicapper’s reaction to his follow-up win, according to enthusiastic owner Barry Healy.
A step into listed company at Tipperary on Sunday week is on the agenda for Cloneylass following her convincing win in the opening Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden at Bellewstown.
The Verglas filly, enterprisingly ridden by Fran Berry, came home two and a half lengths clear of longshot Yelow Dandy with disappointing long odds-on favourite Eastern Light a well-beaten third.
“She’s been crying out for five furlongs,” explained winning trainer Jessica Harrington, who continues in top form with her flat string, “That was great and she’ll stick to five furlongs, at least for the moment.. There’s a five-furlong listed race at Tipperary next week and that should be ideal for her.”
Another trainer enjoying a rich vein of form – Ken Condon – was on the mark when Bold Thady Quill, outpaced early and apparently struggling under in-form apprentice Shane Foley at half-way, came from last to first and powered home to collar and beat flattering favourite Bank On Black by two lengths in the five-furlong Essential Drogheda Magazine Handicap.
Condon commented: “Five furlongs is bit on the sharp side for him and he’s better over six or seven. He’s a slow starter but, as you saw, he fairly flew home tonight. He’s in the July Sales in Newmarket next week and I must discuss whether he’s going there with his owners.”
Wayne Lordan notched his thirtieth winner of the season when favourite Vamizi Island won the two-year-old maiden emphatically for Tommy Stack. But there was a sting in the tail for the winning rider, who picked up a two-day ban for careless riding after an incident in the final furlong in which the winner hampered runner-up Gemara.
David Wachman paid tribute to apprentice Mick Cleere for his handling of Sixteen Forty Two, a half-length winner from Izagonawin in the Paddy Farnan Memorial Handicap. “Michael gave him a fantastic ride and, unlike the last day at Naas, the race fell right for him because they went fast and he could arrive late. We’ll probably try him in a better-class handicap now.”
Sarah Dawson, who is based near Banbridge in County Down, savoured her first training success when Penolva, bought out of Paul; Deegan’s and ridden by Seamus Heffernan, landed the Meade Potato Company Handicap from Dodder Walk.
Blue Law, a disappointment when gambled-on at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, recouped losses when justifying further support (7/1 to 9/2) in a division of the www.citynorthhotel.com Handicap.
At Wexford, the Philip Rothwell-trained Cylindar Rattler is Galway-bound after following up a recent course and distance success in the Nick O’Donnell Memorail Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Paul Townend, he got the better of City Hustler, prompting Rothwell to explain: “I thought he’d struggle after going up 8lb. for his win here. He’ll go for another handicap at Galway and he’ll be going to England before too long, because he’s well-handicapped over fences over there.”
Paul Magnier, who enjoyed a welcome change of luck with Inwood at Leopardstown on Thursday, struck again when Carutomark, in foal to Mr. Dinos, won the beginners chase in the hands of Philip Enright and might reappear at Bellewstown on Sunday.
Patrick Mullins was seen at his strongest when debutante and favourite Maggie Connolly, trained by his father Willie, swooped late to foil the Mikey O’Connor-ridden Total Pleasure in the bumper.
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