Levey makes most of opportunity to get off mark
The youngster did a fine job on Aidan O’Brien’s filly, keeping her nicely balanced in the closing stages to get the best of the battle with Michael Kinane and I Key by half a length.
“I am 17-years-of-age and come from Swaziland”, reported a delighted Levey.
“I moved to Ireland with my family when I was thirteen and now live in Rosegreen (Tipperary). This is my first winner and it is great.”
Meanwhile, Fallon was undergoing physiotherapy and expects to resume at Cork today.
From Swaziland to Japan and the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. This contest fell to More Votes, partnered by Atsuo Hatta, the 21-year-old hailing from the land of the Rising Sun.
Hatta is three years with More Votes’ Curragh handler, Peter Henley, and this was his second winner.
The Victory Note gelding led with over six furlongs to go and galloped on relentlessly up the straight to beat Gentle Peace.
Henley related how he met Hatta and a friend at a point-to-point at Castletowngeoghegan and noticed he was carrying a sign which said: “I am looking for stable work.”
He took them home and Hatta has stayed ever since, while his pal went back to Japan the following night.
Another claimer seen to advantage was 23-year-old Keith Maher, who guided Nathan Jones to a clear-cut victory in the five furlongs handicap.
Enjoying his third success, Maher, who is from Portlaw, Co Waterford, pushed his charge to the front over a furlong down to score by a cosy two lengths.
“I used to be with Jim Gorman, but am now with Pat”, reported Maher. “He is giving me a great chance.”
John Oxx’s Tammany was a costly failure in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
A highly promising second behind Avalon at the Curragh, she was backed from evens to 8-13.
But the daughter of In The Wings found nothing for Michael Kinane pressure in the straight, as Womans Chat and Billy Lee skipped clear from the furlong pole to beat Jalmira.
Brian Byrnes took a crashing fall when Merry Star, in front at the time and going well, fell at the third last in the Mallow Hurdle.
Byrnes escaped with a thigh injury and was stood down by the course doctor.
The Kilbeggan winner, Willie Mullins’ Keaveney, was left in the lead and made the rest to beat favourite, Liscooney, trying to close when getting it wrong at the second last.
Mark Bolger gave Balakan a fine drive to beat Carthalawn in the concluding Bumper.
Runner-up three times in-a-row, Balakan led with a circuit to travel and was challenged all the way up the straight by Carthalawn.
But, not for the first time, he didn’t find a lot off the bridle and was a length adrift at the line.
Bolger (17) is attached to the Michael Halford yard, he trains Balakan, and this was his second winner.
Charlene fell going out for the last time, bringing down Lady’s Gesture. Fortunately, both riders involved, Peter Casey and Paul Cashman, were relatively unscathed.
John Allen gave top weight Luxi River a terrific front-running ride to win the Charleville Handicap Hurdle.
Luxi River poached a long lead from the start and though that was eventually well whittled down, he still held the call over Crash Bandit at the death.
