Spencer on the double with Senor Benny and Pantarez
Senor Benny, runner-up behind Commoya earlier in the week, reversed the placings in the Liam O’Flaherty Handicap. Commoya swept up to lead with well over a furlong to run, but Senor Benny buckled down for Spencer and was well on top through the final hundred yards.
“He’s a hardy horse, we made too much use of him the last day”, said trainer, Kevin McDonagh.
“Jamie says he’ll win another one, but he’s able to jump and will go over over hurdles around Christmas.”
Spencer was seen to real advantage when producing Pantarez with perfect timing to land the Harp Lager Handicap.
Pepperwood touched the front just over a furlong out, but Spencer brought Pantarez from mid-division to grab the lead close home and score by a snug length. “I knew he would handle the ground and dropping back in trip suited him”, reported Spencer.
He also partnered Aidan O’Brien’s Napolean in the Dillon Plant Hire Maiden and he was easily best for money. But, not for the first time, the Sadler’s Wells colt downed tools when the pressure came on.
Napoleon made made most of the running, but had no answer to Pat Smullen’s well-timed challenge on Loyal Focus.
The son of Definite Article lengthened nicely through the testing ground to edge on inside the furlong pole and beat the promising John Oxx trained Purple Spirit.
“I would be very pleased with that effort, following a long absence”, reported Smullen. “He was still green and immature and, hopefully, will step up on this.”
Risk Accessor, fresh from an excellent performance in the Galway Plate, had no difficulty dismissing two rivals in the Southampton Goodwill ’Chase.
Conor O’Dwyer soon had the nine-year-old striding along in front and a long way from home it was bar a fall for the odds-on favourite.
Frank Berry represented connections and said: “He did it well and will now go to Gowran Park for a conditions race.”
The John J Galvin Maiden Hurdle was a moderate contest, but that will hardly have caused punters any great concern.
They waded into Joe Crowley’s Lalfinn, 11-4 to 7-4, and there was never a doubt about them collecting.
Barry Geraghty, who has enjoyed a cracking couple of days, this was his sixth success, sent Lalfinn ahead with a full circuit to go and the only worry for the winner was landing awkwardly over the last when well clear.
Crowley completed a double when newcomer, Your The One, took the Bumper in the hands of Kevin Power.
There would have been more speed on at a funeral than in the first couple of furlongs, but it soon settled down.
Your The One went through on the inside off the home turn to easily beat disappointing market leader, Church Island, who could only stay on one-paced. The stewards inquired into the performance of fifth placed former pointer, Dromin Hill Boy.
The explanation of trainer, Charles Byrnes, was noted, but jockey, Niki O’Shea, was suspended for seven days for making insufficient effort.
Michael Kinane gave Harry Rogers’ Fit The Cove a powerful drive to win the Jet O’Carroll Memorial Handicap.
In front early in the straight, this fine money-spinner battled on strongly to resist the persistent challenge of Rathgowney Lad.
