Medicinal makes impressive debut for in-form Weld
Carrying the colours of nearby Ballylich Stud, Medicinal quickened into the lead at the furlong pole in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden before lengthening in good style for Pat Smullen to score by three lengths. A strapping son of Linamix, Medicinal could well develop into a high-class middle-distance performer.
The well-touted 3/1 shot proved the first leg of a double for the in-form Weld/Smullen alliance, completed in the Kavanaghs Super Valu Thomastown Handicap when Battling Mac defied a 14lb. rise for his Listowel success with another clear-cut success.
This double brought Smullen's seasonal tally to 79, twelve behind reigning champion Michael Kinane, who brought the Declan Gillespie-trained Key To The Kingdom from an apparently impossible position with two furlongs to race to beat Man Of Aran and More Rainbows in the Tote Exacta Handicap. This was the third time Kinane has triumphed on Key To The Kingdom, prompting trainer Gillespie to express the hope, tongue in cheek, that the twelve-times champion might ride him over hurdles!
The Edward O'Grady-trained Go Roger Go bounced back to winning form in the National Lottery Agent Champion Chase.
O'Grady was quick to pay tribute to owner J P McManus' team at Martinstown Stud which nursed the eleven-year-old back to full fitness, having broken down badly two years ago. Ridden confidently by Conor O'Dwyer, deputising for the injured Norman Williamson, Go Roger Go tackled favourite Killultagh Storm at the third last fence and was soon in control before stretching clear to beat Alcapone.
Fast ground, in contrast to the soft surface on which he was beaten by Killultagh Storm at Listowel, attributed to Go Roger Go's improved performance in this Grade 3 contest.
Blue Corrig, a smart performer on the flat, was strongly fancied to make a successful hurdling debut in the Kilford Arms 3-Y-0 Hurdle.
But Joe Crowley's charge, untidy at the last two hurdles, could finish only third to Jessica Harrington's Tipperary winner Imazulutoo, the mount of Barry Geraghty, which will now be rested until the big pre-Christmas meeting at Fairyhouse.
