Sparkling treble for Fallon
Aidan O'Brien, who wasn't at the meeting, reported to the stewards that Mona Lisa was showing signs of coming into the season and, almost certainly as a result, she touched 3-1 for the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Give Thanks Stakes.
That found favour and the daughter of Giant's Causeway, enjoying a first ever success, hardened to 9-4. But it took all of Fallon's considerable strength to get her home in front.
The rapidly improving Kastoria led early in the straight, but Fallon was soon in hot pursuit. Gradually Mona Lisa, who has contested six Group Ones this season, got on terms and Fallon forced her up in the dying strides to score by a short head.
Said Fallon: “She's tough, you won't get much tougher than her. She has a great attitude and temperament and seems to be getting better.”
Asked if the possibility she was in season worried him, Fallon retorted, presumably tongue in cheek: “I didn't know that.”
Fallon was in before the stewards regarding hitting Mona Lisa in front of the saddle in the forehand position. He was advised as to the proper use of the whip in the future.
Earlier, he guided David Wachman's Luas Line to a smooth success in the Platinum Stakes.
He kicked the Danehill filly ahead with less than two furlongs to cover and she quickened in style to easily beat Fairy Of The Night.
“The Victor McCalmont at Gowran Park will probably be next”, said Wachman. “We will travel back to America again, there are three or four races for her.”
Fallon then completed a treble, and a double for Wachman, when Kitty Hawk made an impressive debut in the Coolmore Stud Spartacus EBF Maiden.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer was well touted before racing, but Harry Rogers' relatively experienced Mayonga was preferred in the market.
On the track, though, it was no contest, as Kitty Hawk powered clear of her rival from the furlong pole.
“Like most of mine, she ran green”, said Wachman. “She will step up to a Stakes race, but we won't be in a mad rush.”
Fallon is now on the 36 mark for the campaign.
Missed Trip, a credit to her handler James Motherway, won her third race in-a-row with yet another smooth display in the Cork Handicap Hurdle.
Mouftari was a decent gamble in the ring and was taken to the front well before the straight by Davy Russell.
But Missed Trip and Robbie Colgan soon came there swinging, led between the final two flights and a mistake at the last made no difference.
“She's small, but a very strong mare”, reported Motherway. “We will have to up her in class now I suppose.”
Pat Smullen moved his tally for the campaign to 52 when giving Burren Rose a fine drive to win the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Handicap.
Smullen flashed the daughter of Storm Cat ahead under two furlongs down and she found plenty to resist both Our Jaffa and Bush Maiden.
Smullen now leads Fran Berry by two in the battle for the jockeys' championship.
Willie Mullins' Baltimore Hill landed an old-fashioned touch in the Bumper, thumped in from 12-1 to 4-1.
He did it with the minimum of fuss, easing to the front for Derek O'Connor over two furlongs out to score unextended by 12 lengths.
Baltimore Hill is owned by the seven-member Ilen Syndicate from Skibbereen and will now go for a winners' bumper. “The ground seems to be the key to him, it made a huge difference”, said Mullins
Dick Donohoe's Name For Fame totally outclassed a big field, leading two out, in the Killetra Maiden Hurdle for Galway Hurdle hero, Niall Madden.
“She's always threatened to do something like that and will go back handicapping and, maybe, have a run on the flat as well”, said Donohoe.
