Rafturai completes four-timer in style
Mise Rafturai was completing a remarkable four-timer in handicap hurdles and was produced with a perfectly-timed challenge by Gary Hutchinson for a convincing victory which earned his a crack at another valuable prize at Down Royal next month.
Earlier Nolan’s remarkably versatile nine-year-old, Park Leader, captured the W & H Steel and Roofing Systems Handicap Chase under a confident ride by champion jockey Paul Carberry, quickly getting the better of Glynn Dingle from the second-last fence.
Aidan O’Brien had earlier landed both divisions of the European Breeders Fund two-year-old maiden, further proof that his team is back in business after a bout of coughing.
Chevalier, which had made such a promising debut at the Curragh last week, landed the odds in the second division, powering clear to beat Allied Victory by six lengths in the style of a colt likely to step up into hotter company before the season ends.
Half-an-hour earlier stable jockey Michael Kinane was on the ‘wrong one’ in the first division as Delacroix, ridden by Seamus Heffernan and nibbled at in the market, initiated the Ballydoyle double at the expense of Monsignor Phil with Kinane’s mount Balestrini third.
Find The King will be aimed at the Leopardstown November Handicap following his all-the-way win in the Thomastown Amateur Race.
This tough four-year-old, successful recently on firm ground at Thurles, dictated the pace and drew clear in the straight to score emphatically by eight lengths under an enterprising ride by Philip Fenton.
Kloonlara, trained by Michael Grassick, and ridden by stable jockey Niall McCullagh, landed the Lahart Garages Audi Maiden while Healy’s Pub gave trainer Oliver McKiernan a welcome boost when driven clear by Alan Flemming to win the Bumper.
Apprentice Olive Gaule was in hot water with the stewards after riding fifth-placed Mossland in the seven-furlong maiden.
Gaule was found guilty of making insufficient effort and was suspended for seven days.
