Cherry-ripe Berkley hits target again
Kilworth rider John Allen got the eight-year-old gelding to the front two out in this two and three-quarter miles event, and the combination stayed on gamely to beat long-time leader Prince Of Pleasure by three and a half lengths.
“He never runs a bad race, and the main thing is to keep him fresh. If the weather dries up we'll leave him off for a while, and I'm looking forward to next season when he'll be high enough to get into the good staying handicaps. He's gone up over 30lbs since winning at this meeting last year,” said Verling.
The Castlelyons trainer also had news of former Galway Hurdle winner Sabadilla, who has been off the track since being pulled up behind Cloone River in last year's renewal of the Ballybrit feature.
“He's had his ups and downs and is now 11. He will go chasing soon, and we'll start him off in a little beginners race and hopefully he can make it back to Galway.”
Eoghan O'Grady, from Ballyclough near Mallow, saddled his first winner since taking over the licence from his father Arthur in March when On the Net gained a hard-earned victory in the Killarney Vintners Maiden Hurdle. O'Grady, 26, also partnered the gelding who was always prominent and held on by a length and a half from well-backed 11/10 favourite French Accordion whose chance was not helped by stumbling on landing after the last.
A steward’s enquiry was called into possible interference involving the first three home before the last but the placings remained unaltered. However O'Grady picked up a two days suspension for careless riding.
“'I rode this horse to win two bumpers and a point-to-point, and it's great to get off the mark as a trainer. I have eight in at the moment, and five of those are for points,” said O'Grady.
Kahuna, a big drifter from 2/1 out to 7/2, finally came good over fences when making all under Shay Barry in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. The eight-year-old gelding found plenty under pressure when strongly tackled in the straight by the evens favourite Davenport Milenium to score by three and a half lengths.
Pat O'Connor, successful here on Sunday with Eurotrack, was on the mark again when sending out Ray Boy to land odds of 1/2 in the two miles and a furlong McSweeney Arms Hurdle. Conor O'Dwyer's mount led early on the final circuit, and cruised clear between the final two flights for an emphatic 12 lengths verdict over main market rival Master Ofthe Chase.
“He's a class horse and will go for some of the better races next season over three miles. He's done his bit for this season and is going out in the field next week,” said the Waterford handler.
Advance Guard followed up his recent Navan win by holding the strong late run of Morning Glow by half a length in the Laurels Handicap, and rider Niall McCullagh was just denied a double half-an-hour later in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Median Auction Maiden when Stylish Bid was caught close home by the Kevin Prendergast-trained newcomer Danzelline, who benefited from a fine ride by Declan McDonogh to win by half a length.
Faithlegg Girl benefited from an enterprising ride by David Moran in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, dashing clear early in the straight to beat Wildwood by four and a half lengths.
