Newcomer Alamshar cruises to easy success
The market leaders Russia and Mobane Flyer took each other on from the start, with Johnny Murtagh content to sit in behind.
Once Murtagh asked for an effort in the straight, however, there was only going to be one outcome.
Alamshar quickened in style from the furlong pole to draw clear in the closing stages and beat Russia by two lengths. He is, thus far, the only juvenile Oxx has saddled for the campaign to score at the first time of asking.
Commented assistant trainer, Jimmy O’Neill: “That was a nice surprise. He’s a big green horse and may have one more run this season.’’
Oxx and Murtagh completed a double when heavily backed Madalyar stayed on strongly to beat stable companion White Queen in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Handicap.
White Queen led soon after the start, but was collared in the final hundred yards by Madalyar, the verdict a length and a half. Said O’Neill: “He has a bit of pace and I doubt he will go for the Cesarewitch, because he mightn’t stay.
“He’s not a bad horse, but the likelihood is that he will head to the sales.’’
Murtagh’s tally for the season now stands at 58, three adrift of Michael Kinane and one in front of Pat Smullen.
Eoin Doyle, who has six horses in his care at Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, enjoyed his biggest success to date when Northern Mill won the Smithwicks Beer Handicap Hurdle.
Formerly trained by Michael Halford, Northern Mill was bought out of that yard for 19,000.
The five-year-old mare made every yard of the running, keeping up a powerful gallop throughout, despite crashing through the second last.
Said Doyle, who has been training only about eight months: “She was well in at the weights and we knew she would keep galloping.’’
The stiff fences again took their toll in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase with only five of the 13 starters managing to get round.
Victory went to Charles Byrnes’ Clody Bays, carrying the colours of the mainly Listowel-based Cloudy Bay Syndicate.
The winner jumped to the front at the third last and was holding favourite Lantern Leader when that one hit hit the last hard, parting company with Paul Carberry.
“He loves the ground and will come back here again on Sunday’’, reported Byrnes.
Cloudy Bays is one of only three horses in this afternoon’s opener, but isn’t qualified to run now.
The useful Arctic Force followed up his victory at Clonmel with a game performance to take the Bumper.
He had a terrific tussle with well-backed favourite Ruff Justice over the final two furlongs, getting on top in the closing stages to score by a neck.
“He is the makings of a proper racehorse’’, said trainer, Paul Roche. “He is a three mile chaser, but the chances are he will go to sales at the end of October.’’
Michael O’Brien’s Banasan was the one most punters wanted in the Coleman Tunnelling Maiden Hurdle and he duly did the business.
Always travelling sweetly in the hands of Chrlie Swan, Banasan cruised ahead going to the third last and was never troubled from that point.
Gary Hutchinson gave Testify a strong drive to win the three mile Spectra Photo Labs Handicap Hurdle.
The Montelimar gelding led coming away from the third last and battled well, as Rudi’s Pleasure threatened danger all the way to the line.
Edward Butler enjoyed a welcome turn when Love won the seven furlongs Foynes Handicap.
Contradiction went on with over a furlong to go but Love, and Colm O’Donoghue, wore him down close home to score by half a length.
