Eklim’s late burst decisive
The winner found a tremendous burst of speed in the closing stages, after appearing to have plenty to do off the home turn.
My Lucy Locket made a brave attempt from the front and still held the call heading to the final furlong.
At this stage Eklim had a wall of horses in front of him, but he fairly flew when asked by McDonogh and was actually in total control close home to beat the running-on Fearn Royal by a length and a half.
"I thought he’d win”, said Prendergast matter-of-factly. "He’s a good horse on that sort of ground.
"I’m not sure where he’ll go next, we’ll see what happens. Maybe, he’ll head for a Listed race and we will be looking for an ease in the ground in the Cambridgeshire.”
Earlier in the evening, Prendergast unwrapped a very promising newcomer in Takrice, who outclassed her rivals in the McDonogh Feeds EBF Fillies Maiden.
Dermot Weld’s Summer Sunset was a strong order in the market and there was plenty money as well for Aidan O’Brien’s Oh So Precious.
They both ran well, but were no match for the winner in the closing stages.
Takrice, also partnered by McDonogh, was only fourth into the straight and had to challenge on the outside. But she quickened past Summer Sunset in fine style to produce an impressive display.
Said Prendergast: "I thought she’d run well, but am pleasantly surprised at how well. I’d say we will head her for the Moyglare (Curragh) now.”
Prendergast and McDonogh completed a whopping 615-1 treble when Blava, in front off the home turn, held on well as Alone He Stands threatened him all the way to the line in the
McDonogh Style Concepts Maiden.
It was the second treble of very much in-form McDonogh’s career.
Willie Mullins was loud in his praise of Ruby Walsh, after Clounties Hill, carrying the colours of the Ilen Syndicate from Skibbereen, had got the
best of a tough tussle with Artane Boys in the Albatros Feeds Maiden Hurdle.
The pair came to take it off long-time leader, Faithful Manger, at the last flight and, in a driving finish, Walsh powered the winner ahead close home.
Said Mullins: “Ruby was fantastic, this is the most difficult horse in the yard to ride and you have to put him to sleep.
“I didn’t think he’d come up the hill. He was bought as a ’chaser and will have one or two more runs over hurdles and then go ’chasing.”
Gerry Keane’s Sum Leader was the best backed horse in the Albatros
Plant Nutrition ’Chase, 9-4 from 3-1, and he justified the confidence in style.
He travelled sweetly throughout for Barry Geraghty and there was only going to be one result once the seven-year-old was allowed stride on going to the second last.
Said Keane: “He will stay novice ’chasing for the moment and, hopefully, will develop into a National horse.”
Huxley, trained by Paul Roche, landed a real touch in the McDonogh DIY Handicap, under an inspired drive from Michael Kinane.
The son of Danehill Dancer, thumped in from 5-1 to 2-1 favourite, was brought with an irresistible run by Kinane in the straight to come from a seemingly impossible position and score going away in the end.
“He’s (Kinane) a genius”, exclaimed a thrilled Roche in the winner’s enclosure. “After Mick rode the horse at the Curragh, he said bring him to Galway, run him over seven furlongs and he’ll win. We probably won’t get home ’til Sunday.”
Pat Hughes’ Blue Away was put in at 5-2 for the concluding McDonogh Builders’ Trade Centre Handicap and that looked a skinny price.
Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth. He was hammered into 2-1, strolled to the front before the home turn and was eased down in the closing stages by Fran Berry to win in a canter.
Blue Away will turn out again on Saturday, under a mandatory 5lbs penalty.
