Nastrelli looks to have bright future after easy win
He ran once in England last year for Michael Stoute and has clearly come on a bundle from two to three.
Johnny Murtagh produced him with a sweeping run in the straight and this half-brother to Namid outclassed the opposition, scoring unextended by four and a half lengths.
“He’s a smashing big horse and will improve a bit fitness wise”, said Halford.
“He would like better ground and will go next for a winners’ of one or for black type.”
Earlier in the evening Frances Kelly (20) rode her first winner when guiding Halford’s Faynita to victory in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
This was only her eighth ride and she did well, keeping the four-year-old together through the final furlong to hold the persistent challenge of Tango Step.
Commented Halford: “I am delighted for Frances, she works hard and deserved her chance. She was with us originally and then went to Charlie Swan’s. She came back from Charlie’s a stronger rider.”
Dermot Weld’s inmates have made a fine start to the season and his newcomer Queeen Of Rap ran away with the Arakan and Ballyhane Stud EBF Fillies Maiden.
It wasn’t the strongest of contests, but the daughter of Alhaarth could hardly have done her job any better.
Pat Smullen eased her to the front inside the two furlong pole and Queen Of Rap soon strode six lengths clear of market rival, Grecian Dancer.
“She was fit and forward and is very effective on that ground”, reported Weld. “We will give her a shot at a Listed race now.”
Despite the fact his charges are in terrific shape, the Rosewell House handler is not confident he has the quality of horse often associated with the stable. “I would think most of mine, perhaps not the two-year-olds, will be seeing the scenic routes of Ireland this season”, he said.
Kevin Prendergast’s horses are in terrific shape and his Twenty Questions easily landed the Ballyhane Stud EBF Maiden. A first winner for Kyllachy, the filly quickened in style through the ground to prove far too good for her rivals from the furlong pole.
Owner Lady O’Reilly was on hand and her racing manager, James Kelly, said: “She was bought at Doncaster sales and is Kevin’s first juvenile winner of the season. He thinks he has his best team of two-year-olds ever.”
Charlie Swan’s Crooked Throw was a decent touch in the Tipperary Racecourse Supporters’ Club Maiden.
Taken at 7-1 in the morning, he was a big order on track from 7-2 to 5-2 and was always getting the best of the battle with Kevin Prendergast’s newcomer Rio through the last furlong.
“I had a lot of business trying to win a bumper with him, it’s taken me two years to work out his trip”, quipped Swan.
“I was glad their were no stalls, he is always slow out of them.”
You’d imagine the layers didn’t hold much in the Easter Bonnet Handicap, but the little that made its way in their direction stayed firmly in the satchels after 20-1 chance Dersean had scored.
Driven clear in the closing stages to beat Raise Again by three lengths, he gave Kevin Manning his first of the season.
Said trainer, Edgar Byrne: “He had a few little problems last season and has taken time to mature.”
Pat Morris’ Lady Orpen, fresh from scoring on the all weather at Lingfield, showed she is equally at home on grass in the www.tipperaryraces.ie Race.
She cruised ahead inside the furlong pole for Rory Cleary and the final verdict of half a length over Cliffs Of Duneen was no real indication of her superiority.
