Wests Awake completes quick hat-trick
Previously successful at Clonmel and Fairyhouse, Wests Awake completed his hat-trick in typically game style, staying on under pressure for jockey Gary Hutchinson to hold Quadco, who rallied well after losing his place before the second last fence by one and a half lengths.
After Wests Awake had won at Fairyhouse on Thursday night, his owner - trainer Iggy Madden, who was not present last night, hinted that the eight-year-old might have a short break and that is now on the cards.
JP McManus, best known for his involvement in the jumping game, had a rare Flat double when Puck Out justified favouritism under Fran Berry in the 10 furlong Come Racing in Roscommon Maiden and Team Allstar toyed with the opposition in the second division of the Red Mills Handicap.
According to Frank Berry Snr, racing manager to McManus, Puck Out is likely to bid for the Guinness Galway Hurdle in July, an event in which he finished only 12th when favourite last year.
Niall McCullagh eased Team Allstar early in the final furlong of the mile and a half handicap but for which the Niall Madden trained five-year-old might have won by 10 lengths or more. Instead the winning distance over runner up Inver Lady was only two lengths.
The first division of the same handicap went to Baltray Queen. An 8/1 shot, Baltray Queen was being reeled in by Stuttgart and Desert Kite in the closing stages, but she held on by a neck and a short head.
