Golden Arrow hits target for Weld first time of asking

IT was probably a pointer in itself that Dermot Weld tossed newcomer Golden Arrow into Listed company on his debut in the Kerry Spring Water Rochestown Stakes at Cork yesterday.

The son of Danehill, friendless in the market, totally outclassed his rivals after Pat Smullen pushed him ahead at the furlong pole.

Smullen, realistically, wasn't getting carried away. “It was a good effort first time out and he did it nicely, but it remains to be seen what kind of a race it was”, said Smullen.

Michael Halford's Leitra, a promising third behind Aidan O'Brien's well-regarded Ivan Denisovich at Leopardstown, streaked away with the Golden Olive Maiden.

The daughter of Danhill Dancer powered clear for Johnny Murtagh approaching the final furlong, beating Sweet Afton unextended by four lengths.

“I knew she had come on well”, said Halford. “Johnny liked her and she will step up in grade now. She has plenty of pace and I am very pleased.”

The featured Kerry Group EBF Noblesse Stakes was won in determined fashion by Kevin Prendergast's Right Key.

She beat the smart Hazariya at Naas previously and answered every call from Declan McDonogh to wear down front-running Unique Pose in the closing stages.

Prendergast, speaking from Roscommon, indicated that the daughter of Key Of Luck would run next in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh.

David Wachman's Magnolia Lane, runner-up behind Scorpion on her debut at Leopardstown, was a big drifter in the market.

Wachman's fears about the fast ground proved correct and the full-sister to Yeats dropped out dramatically in the straight, finishing last of the ten runners.

Dessie Hughes' strapping gelding Robert outstayed market leader Alpha Royale in the Low Low Novice Hurdle.

The Bob Back gelding jumped stickily early on, but gradually warmed to his task. Paddy Flood allowed him stride on coming away from the fourth last and Robert found plenty for pressure to score by two and a half lengths.

“We will have a look at the two miles and five Butter Churn at Galway”, said Hughes. “He's a summer horse and will jump a fence, even as early as September.”

Colm Murphy's Clew Bay Lodge, so impressive when winning a bumper at Cork previously, was all the rage for the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle.

A little 6-4 quickly dried up and he was backed from evens to 4-5. He never jumped a hurdle and never promised to get into contention. Victory went to Dantys Hampshire, who made every yard of the running for Denis O'Regan to easily beat Arc Lemanique.

Commented trainer, Sean Aherne: “He's a horse who has had a lot of problems and will either go handicapping or stay in novice company.”

Liz Doyle's On Your Way looked a desperately unlucky loser of the Move Over Butter Handicap Hurdle.

He landed in front at the second last and was simply tanking on the approach to the final flight. But he blundered at the obstacle and was collared close home and beaten half a length by Dego Dante. The winner was partnered by 18-year-old Brian Carey From Croom, who was enjoying his first success.

Favourite backers were feeling on reasonably good terms with themselves when Tony McCoy drove Urban into the lead early in the straight in the Kerry Group Handicap Hurdle.

But Ken Whelan conjured a terrific late surge from Oran Climate to grab Urban in the final stride and score by a short head.

It was a first on the track for Wexford handler, John Paul Brennan, although having about 50 to his credit in points.