Dancer waltzes in to edge Kinane ahead in title race
Yesterday, the eleven-times champion made his way to the Tipperary track and had his reward when partnering top weight, Windsor Dancer, to success in the first section of the O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy Handicap.
As a result Kinane took a 75-74 lead over his great rival, Johnny Murtagh, who drew a blank for the day.
The blinkered Maradi grabbed the advantage with a furlong and a half to run, but Kinane was soon sinking deep in the saddle and Windsor Dancer answered the call to sweep clear in the last hundred yards.
There are just two meetings remaining before the end of the campaign, Thurles’ mixed card on Thursday and the all-flat programme at Leopardstown tomorrow week.
Kinane made a brave attempt in the second division of the same race as well, taking second spot on another top weight, Black Legend.
They were never going to get to grips, though, with Charmante Femme, who led after a furlong and made the rest for Danny Grant.
It was the 19th winner of the season for trainer, Pat Flynn, who remarked: “There is no more for her now, but she will most definitely jump a hurdle.’’
Edward O’Grady’s Bennie’s Pride, disappointing at Thurles previously, turned in an exhibition of jumping for Norman Williamson to take the Jimmy Hayes Bookmaker Chase.
He went to the front over the fifth from home and stayed on dourly to shake off Hedgehunter between the last two fences.
“He jumped much better here, compared to Thurles, the ground was too firm for him then,’’ reported O’Grady.
His Kickham proved a costly failure in the McCarthy’s Hotel Maiden Hurdle, trailing home ninth behind Gemini Guest.
Winner of three of his four bumpers, Kickham was hammered from 4-7 to 2-5, but his followers knew their fate a long way out.
Some of the six-year-old’s jumping was quite deliberate and the Supreme Leader gelding was beaten at the third last.
Williamson told the stewards that Kickham ran freely early and was lifeless in the latter stages of the contest.
Victory went to Gemini Guest, powered ahead by Charlie Swan two from home to beat My Native Donegal.
Arch Stanton, well held by a couple of his opponents on previous running at Thurles, easily landed the Gerry Chawke Maiden.
He was always travelling sweetly for David Condon, cruising to the front with less than a furlong to go to beat the trail-blazing Yukon by four lengths.
Commented trainer, Willie Mullins: “He’s been hard to train and has had lots of little problems.
”I didn’t think I would have had to wait so long for him to win. He needs a good cut in the ground and, hopefully, will go on from here.
“He will run again before the season ends and then go over hurdles.’’
Khoza’ah redeemed the promise of her debut outing at Leopardstown with a game display to take the Frank Meagher Memorial Maiden.
Hasina looked the likely winner when edging to the front just under the furlong pole.
But, not for the first time, she found nothing for pressure and Khoza’ah worried her out of it in the final 50 yards to score by a head.
Remarked Declan McDonogh, who partnered the daughter of Darshaan: “She doesn’t have the best of actions and I wasn’t that sweet on her round here!’’
McDonogh was subsequently found guilty of using his whip excessively and severely cautioned.
Jim Bolger’s Leeside Legend, fresh from a promising effort at Leopardstown, made no mistake in the Laurence Kenny Centra Supermarket Handicap.
She was driven ahead off the home turn by Kevin Manning and showed much greater resolution in the closing stages than the flattering Mark The Beginning.
