Berry king for a day on Honorine
Murtagh, he enjoyed a double at Naas, is first jockey to the powerful John Oxx yard, but Berry is a more than able deputy and proved it again here with a copybook drive aboard the Highest Honor filly.
Phariseek tried to make all, but was strongly pressed way up the straight by One Won One.
The latter finally got the better of that tussle, but Berry was only waiting to pounce and the race ended as a contest once he asked Miss Honorine to quicken with half a furlong to go.
Said Jimmy O’Neill, representing Oxx: “We will keep her to these type of races. She disappointed us at Gowran Park, but our horses were off-colour at the time.
Dermot Weld’s well-backed market leader, Saranac Lake, was most disappointing. She was in trouble approaching the two furlong pole, eventually trailing in last of eight.
Aidan O’Brien ran two in the opening Danehill Dancer Maiden and the pair totally dominated the finish of the contest.
For punters it went the right way with odds-on market leader Great Pyramid beating Kimberley Mine.
The pair had it between them through the last two furlongs and the battle was always going in favour of Great Pyramid.
There was some very close riding, however, in the last furlong, the runner-up had far from a clear run, but the stewards decided no alteration to the placings was necessary.
They concluded that while interference had taken place, Great Pyramid hadn’t improved his placing.
It was a decision which, to put it mildly, particularly among the bookmaking profession, was greeted with less than universal joy.
Said O’Brien: “Great Pyramid will step up in class now.
“He was very green at Naas and was pulling up in front today. He’s just a slow learner.
“Kimberley Mine will run in another maiden.’’
Colm O’Donoghue had the mount on the the winner and was suspended for two days for careless riding. He was also severely cautioned to ride with more care in the future.
Earlier in the afternoon John Oxx and Fran Berry combined with Brochetta to land the Second Empire EBF Fillies Handicap.
Berry was again seen to advantage, sending the daughter of Hector Protector ahead full five furlongs from home and keeping her right up to her work in the closing stages.
Commented Jimmy O’Neill: “She’s tough and the plan is to try and get her Listed placed.’’
David Casey, who broke his collar-bone at Galway on Sunday, missed a winning ride on She’s Our Girl in the Mull Of Kintyre Handicap.
Trainer, Michael Holden, found an able deputy, however, in Philip Carberry.
He rode a powerful finish to force She’s Our Girl past Crooked Wood in the last hundred yards, as Wacky Sport closed rapidly in third.
Keith Hadnett, fresh from his glorious triumph on Rockholm Boy in the Galway Plate, came late and fast to win the Flemensfirth Handicap Hurdle on Town Gossip.
Marys Cottage looked the likely winer when leading before the second last, but Hadnett conjured a terrific burst from Town Gossip to come from off the pace and sweep clear well after the final flight.
Hadnett completed a double with a confident display on Fey Macha in the Oscar Maiden Hurdle, turning over hot-pot Good Vintage.
Not for the first time Good Vintage found little when the pressure was applied and Fey Macha toyed with him from the second last.
