Nyasa holds on to land tidy gamble

JIM BOLGER took the training honours with a double in glorious sunshine at Gowran Park yesterday initiated by the well-backed Nyasa, who landed a tidy gamble when she took the mile handicap.

The daughter of Stravinsky was sporting the colours of Mrs Catherine Kinane and, supported from 10/1 into 7/1, just held the late run of Broomfield Lad to score by a half of a length.

Bolger doubled up in the Bulmers McEnery Cup when Mrs Gillow proved too strong for Dr Knock. The 10/1 shot was well handled by Brian Hughes, and the filly rattled off the very quick ground.

Ardbrae Lady is set to step up to listed class at the Curragh next weekend after the 9/2 shot took the opener under Wayne Lordan.

Her trainer, Joe Murphy, said: “She wants an ease in the ground and if we get some rain between now and next weekend, she’ll go to the Curragh for a listed race on Saturday.”

He added: “She’s very game and genuine and Wayne gave her a good ride.”

Upton-based handler John Murphy does well with a small string of flat horses and he saddled the hitherto luckless In The Ribbons to an all-the-way success in the mile and a half maiden under Colm O’Donoghue.

Noel Meade produced Moratorium fit and well to win the two-mile handicap hurdle under Denis O’Regan, whilst Ballon Rose out-battled Fergus Vale to win the Maiden Hurdle.

Katie Walsh was seen to good effect on Crenaun Bridge to win the concluding bumper for Willie Mullins.

Katie’s older brother, Ruby, meanwhile was seen at his strongest on Warrens Castle who won the Stanleybet Galway Plate Trial at Down Royal.

Promising apprentice Shane Gorey partnered his second winner of the weekend when Knockabbey Castle came with a storming late run to win the Coolmore Ulster Oaks.