Lee emerges from doldrums as Buzz Two strikes
She was beautifully handled by 19-year-old Bantry girl Helen Keohane, who was enjoying the seventh victory of her career.
Buzz Two tried to make every post a winning one, but looked in trouble when headed approaching the home turn by Kate Emily.
The talented Keohane. however, soon had Buzz Two back in front again and the five-year-old lengthened in style to quicken a length and a half clear in the closing stages.
Said Lee: “I needed that. The mare just hadn’t clicked so far this season, but Helen was marvellous and gave her a great ride.’’
Bob What looked an unlucky loser of the featured Waterford Crystal Noel M Griffin Memorial Handicap.
He went for glory at the four furlong pole and was full of running heading down hill to the dip for the final time.
But rider, Timmy Houlihan, went out the side door with about three furlongs to go.
Houlihan took a crashing fall, but, remarkably, escaped with little more than a good shaking.
Bob What’s departure left The Baltimore Man in front and Tony Mullins’ gelding was always holding Czar Of Peace through the last furlong.
Commented Mullins: “He’s just a different horse on this ground. Good ground is no good to him, he has to hop off it.
“He might go for the Havasnack at Tralee next, but will be sent chasing very shortly.’’ It was a first success on the flat for rider, Gary Hutchinson.
Paul Carberry treated his numerous supporters to a magical drive on the Noel Meade trained Mivec in the Vic three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Perugino, following a promising first effort over jumps at Roscommon, was put in at 9-2, but that found favour and he hardened to 7-2.
Carberry had his charge near the front from the start and then sent him about his business heading to the fourth last.
The game looked up, however, when Coral Son went past two out, grabbing a couple of lengths advantage.
Carberry, however, was in no mood for defeat. He galvanised Mivec for a renewed effort and found a willing partner.
The eventual winner rallied in tremendous style and got back at, and mastered, Coral Son in the final fifty yards.
Carberry’s mount, Dutch Lad, was the one most punters wanted in the McDonald Bros Maiden Hurdle, but he found one too good for him in the shape of Pagan Streams, capably handled by Adrian Lane.
Trained by in-form Michael Halford, Pagan Streams led coming away from two out and was never troubled by Dutch Lad in the closing stages.
Keith Hogan, who rode his first winner aboard Krosno at Tramore on Thursday, doubled his tally with an excellent display on Rose Whisper in the Tower Hotel Group Mandicap Hurdle.
Hogan eased on going to the second last and kept the 10-1 shot together in fine style on the level, as Miss Joppy and Ruby Walsh challenged strongly.
Philip Rothwell’s versatile Gregorian proved far too good for his rivals in the O’Sheas’ Hotel Beginners Chase.
A big drifter in the market, 3-1 to double those odds, he certainly belied the apparent lack of confidence.
Dashingly ridden by Barry Cash, Gregorian stormed ahead coming away from the fourth last to score by 20 lengths, despite being eased considerably on the run in.
Lichen, a winner here on Saturday, became the only horse to score twice for the four-days, when coming late and fast to justify 5-2 to 5-4 in the Killone Stables Handicap.
