Magritte looks a star in the making
This fellow is a full-brother to Epsom Derby runner-up The Great Gatsby and looks one of the nicest juveniles seen so far this season.
Michael Kinane soon had him tracking the trail-blazing Sharadi. Magritte eased ahead with a furlong and a half to run and was soon clear.
“He’s a beauty and has always shown plenty”, reported O’Brien.
“A lot of options are open to him and he has a staying pedigree as well.”
The Byrne Handicap Chase, a Galway Plate trial, was won by a horse who isn’t even entered in the Ballybrit feature, Cloudy Bays.
He made practically all the running for Pat Verling, although joined over the third last by Folliday.
Verling, however, had saved plenty and the winner soon moved on again. He took a real chance with the second last, recovered quickly and was soon striding clear.
Said trainer, Charles Byrnes: “He won’t go to Galway, he’s much better travelling left- handed and on a flat track.
“I always thought him better than what he was showing and he will go to places like Tralee and Listowel now.”
Tommy Stack introduced a smashing newcomer in the College Chapel colt Tolpuddle in the Dressed To Bet Maiden.
Backed from 12-1 to 5-1, he got up in the dying strides to beat the front-running Lemonstown Lad.
Seamue Heffernan kicked Lemonstown Lad clear off the home turn, but Tolpuddle made up about eight lengths in the straight to win going away in the end.
Said Stack: “He’s quite a nice horse. He was sick earlier in the year, that’s why he hasn’t run until now.”
Risk Accessor, having his first outing since the Aintree Grand National meeting, put up a nice performance to take the Betdaq Hurdle. In a contest dominated by two J P McManus runners, Risk Accessor was always carrying too many guns for Goss over the last two flights.
Commented McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry: “Risk Accessor always goes well fresh. He will head to Galway in good form and will run in the Plate.”
The promising Michael Hussey gave Kurlicue an excellent drive to win the Premier County Nursery.
Top weight and favourite, Alexander Goldrun, got to the front approaching the final furlong, but Kurlicue soon swept through to lead and Hussey kept her going in fine style to hold Pomeranze by a head.
Kurlicue is trained by Kevin Prendergast, who enjoyed a fine afternoon.
Twice Royal and Warrimoo scored for him at Ballinrobe and he completed a cross-the-card four-timer with Miss Trish in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Handicap.
As many as six horses had a chance going into the final furlong, but it was Miss Trish who stuck her head out best to beat Lake Millstatt.
It was a second success for rider, Christy Geoghegan, who comes from Kildare town.
The capable John Allen rode his third winner aboard the Joe Crowley trained Hanorla in the O’Dwyer Tarmac Hurdle.
The four-year-old was always travelling sweetly and appeared to have the front-running Fiddlers Bar well covered heading to the third last.
In any case Fiddlers Bar ran out through the wing and Hanorla was left in front to make the rest and score in a canter.
“The ground was a worry to me”, said Crowley.
“I have no plans, maybe we’ll try him in a handicap next.”
Crowley’s daughter, Frances, trained the winner of the Bumper, Harry’s Judgement, who went on before the home turn and stayed on resolutely for Kevin Power to hold Moscow Court.
