Better ground makes the difference as Mermaid Island canters home
Pat Smullen was niggling at her well before the turn in, but she buckled down well to shoot clear over a furlong out and easily beat All Woman.
“The extra furlong and better ground made the difference”, reported Smullen.
Weld and Smullen completed a double when promising newcomer Merger scampered away with the Killinan Maiden.
The grey took his time getting the hang of what was required, but lengthened in style to go clear and score unextended by five lengths.
The disappointing Aidan O’Brien trained favourite Lord Nelson, 5-4 from 7-4, tried to make all but went out like a pricked balloon once challenged at the two furlong pole.
Weld and Smullen weren’t a million miles from completing a treble with Music Celebre in the Holycross Handicap.
He ran well, but had to finally give best to Rathgowney Lad and in-form Fran Berry.
Rathgowney Lad, beaten a head by Fit The Cove at Listowel, was always just about getting the best of the battle with his rival through the final furlong.
Ballydoyle had three representatives in the Horse And Jockey Maiden, with Jamie Spencer on the once-raced Because.
But it was their unconsidered newcomer Coconut Beach, a son of Sadler’s Wells, who had all the answers in the closing stages.
John Oxx’s Akilana, well supported in the morning and 5-2 to 2-1 favourite on track, edged ahead early in the straight.
Coconut Beach and Pat Cosgrave, however, were soon on terms and much the stronger in the closing stages.
High Country, another Ballydoyle inmate, was taken from 4-5 to 4-7 in the October Race, but looked decidedly unenthusiastic and could only manage third spot. He was brought wide into the straight by Spencer, but then drifted back towards the far side and produced little for pressure.
Victory went to Pat Fahy’s Sandy Owen, having a first outing since running twice at the Galway Festival.
He was being pushed along a fair way out, but responded generously for Michael Kinane’s urgings and was in total control in the last furlong.
“The plan coming was the Irish Cesarewitch and I would think that’s where he will go,” said Fahy.
Market leader Kerry Way made most of the running in the Thurles Ladies Handicap, but had little left when John Oxx’s Rajakana swept past approaching the furlong pole.
A date at the sales at Goffs awaits the daughter of Kahyasi, while for winning pilot, Sinead O’Keeffe, it was a fourth success.
Rocksham produced a game display to take the first section of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
She made every yard of the running to give her partner, 19-year-old Shane Gorey, his sixth winner of the campaign and the ninth overall.
The second division was won in fine style by Tonenili, the mount of talented Rory Cleary. She performed nicely when third at Listowel on Saturday and had this in safe keeping once driven to the front two furlongs out.
