Right Key bounces back with narrow success
The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly, already a Group 3 winner, refused to race in the Yorkshire Oaks but, blinkered for the first time, was in more co-operative form on this occasion and was produced with a strong late challenge by Declan McDonogh to record a narrow win over older rivals in this listed event.
British-trained raider Foreign Affairs had dictated the pace from halfway and had fought off the attentions of Mkuzi when McDonogh pounced on Right Key to lead in the last hundred yards before Foreign Affairs rallied and only a short head separated them at the line, victory going to the three-year-old filly in the colours of Lady O’Reilly.
Trainer Kevin Prendergast, clearly relieved by the victory of Right Key, had earlier initiated a double when Chained Emotion, ridden by apprentice Pádraig Beggy, had outpointed Point Calimere in the Kellys Bar Marbella Handicap.
David Wachman shared the training honours with Prendergast thanks to a double in the two-year-old events with El Fuego and I Key.
The well touted debutant El Fuego, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus, was given a patient and confident ride by Kieren Fallon to overcome a bad draw in the opening maiden.
The odds on favourite was produced late but quickened in good style to score by a half length and earn a step into Group company in the coming weeks.
Wachman’s double was completed when top weight I Key got off the mark, at the fourth attempt, in the Fairyhouse Nursery despite running green for Wayne Lordan, who is enjoying his best ever season.
Richard Brabazon, son of the legendary Aubrey, savoured a rare success when his charge Abbey Grammer swooped late under apprentice Jerry O’Dwyer to deny Makishima in the seven furlong maiden.
Meanwhile, Carlesimo and Paulsworth proved the stars on the National Hunt card at Ballinrobe.
A costly failure on his chasing debut at the Galway Festival, Carlesimo made ample amends in the Water Towers Chase when justifying favouritism under a confident ride from Denis O’Regan.
The Noel Meade-trained gelding jumped well and readily brushed aside the challenge of long time leader Cash And Carry after the third last fence to record an emphatic victory.
Later Paulsworth, owned by Brian Gleeson of RTÉ and TV3 fame, ran out an impressive winner of the bumper having made most of the running under Colin Motherway. Paulsworth is highly regarded by his trainer, John Kiely, who intends winning a maiden hurdle with the five-year-old before giving him a winter break and campaigning him in the spring.
Keith Hadnett savoured his first win since returning after a lengthy break at Tralee last week when Rooftop Protest, trained by Tom Hogan, scored a narrow win in the Connacht Gold Handicap Hurdle. Having made most of the running, the winner was headed on the run-in by Orchard Grove but rallied to triumph by a short head, causing winning trainer Hogan to quip: “It’s just as well the handicapper dropped him a pound for his run at Tralee last Monday.”
