Halford and Kinane in treble form
Also in treble form was 13-times champion jockey Michael Kinane, who teamed up with Halford to land the opening two-year-old maiden with Briland, carrying the colours of Kilboy Estate.
This daughter of Namid was nursed through the race by Kinane as fears existed about her stamina. But she was produced with a well-timed challenge to record a narrow success and a probable step-up into listed company next time.
The season’s leading apprentice, Rory Cleary, provided his boss Halford with the other winners on yesterday’s card, partnering top weight Sister Sox to a convincing victory in the Dundalk Football Club Handicap.
And Cleary’s judgement of pace proved effective in the later Coolmore King Charlemagne Maiden, which was run at a strong pace.
Cleary sat tight on even money favourite Princess Nala before timing his challenge well and recording an ultimately convincing win in the red and black colours of Bert Kerr.
Trainer Halford now intends running Princess Nala at listed level over 10 furlongs or a mile and a half.
Michael Kinane recorded the middle leg of his treble when debutante Power Paint landed the Coolmore Mull of Kintyre Maiden at the expense of the well-backed Bawaader.
Kinane was not hard on this daughter of Mark Of Esteem and was always holding the runner-up through the final furlong. The winner is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, and her trainer John Oxx will probably step her into listed company in the coming weeks.
Kinane completed his treble when working hard to get Anno Jubilo home in the Ladbrokes Handicap, the first leg of a double for trainer Charlie Swan, completed by veteran Pillar Rock in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
Fran Berry was expected to consolidate his position at the top of the Jockeys Championship table on board even money favourite Baggio in the Kells Handicap.
But, having held every chance, he found little in the closing stages as Danny Grant came with a strong late flourish on Fairy Pass to triumph for Curragh trainer James Burns.
