Alexandrova 33/1 for Oaks after Traleedemolition job
Aidan O’Brien’s charge was a huge morning-price punt from as high as 13-8. On track the best was 4-6 and she hardened to 8-15.
The daughter of Sadler’s Wells was taken to the front two furlongs out by Kieren Fallon and quickly surged clear to win unextended by ten lengths.
Speaking from Ballydoyle, O’Brien said: “She’s a lovely filly, who could be anything. I could see her going for something like the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp or the Ascot Fillies Mile.”
The mile race, of course, will be run at Newmarket this year.
A double for O’Brien looked on the cards when Briolette grabbed a couple of lengths advantage early in the straight in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden. But young Chris Hayes was soon out after the market leader on Sina Cova and the daughter of Barathea gradually closed to grab the leader near the post and score by half a length.
“He is some rider”, exclaimed trainer, Peter Casey. “Did you see him on the bends, you’d think he was on a motorbike!”
Kevin Coleman enjoyed his biggest success to date, and his 17th winner in all, when guiding Monte Solaro to victory in the Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Coleman eased ahead early in the straight and kept enough in reserve as Blue Corrig threatened to go past from the last.
Monte Solaro is trained by Francis Flood and he was represented by his son, Fran. Commented Flood junior: “It’s a great prize to get. She has got black type now and that was the reason for coming here.”
Ruby Walsh, who took a fall from Zeroberto at the fourth, was stood down for the rest of the day.
The Charles Byrnes trained Gortinard had plenty of friends in the ring for the Kerry Petroleum Arthur Blennerhassett Beginners Chase, finding 5-4 from 6-4. Indeed, this was the biggest betting race of the day with the layers holding €106,765.
He landed the wagers with the minimum of fuss, under a confident drive from Davy Russell. Gortinard powered into the lead before the turn in and was soon clear to beat Church Island.
The seven-year-old is owned by the five-member Listowel-based Danpaddyandy Syndicate. Said Byrnes: “He will go to Listowel now for a novice chase.”
Brazilian rider Valdir De Souza rode his third winner in Ireland when taking the Eddie Barrett Bookmaker Handicap over five furlongs on Point Calimere.
The Fasliyev gelding made all the running and the late rush of the slow-starting Serov was never a worry. Commented trainer, Liam McAteer: “This horse is only starting to run now. What can you say about the jockey, this is the first time he has ever ridden round the track.”
Ruby Walsh was replaced on Rocking Annie in the North’s Real Estate Alliance Handicap Chase by Barry Geraghty and when Harry Rogers’ mare jumped on at the third last it looked odds-on he had missed a winner. The odds were considerably shorter turning in, with Rocking Annie absolutely cantering. Heading to the final fence, however, her stride began to shorten and the grey Blitzy Boy swept past on the flat.
Trained by Gerry Lynch at Craughwell, Co Galway, Blitzy Boy gave pilot, Davy Condon, his fourth winner over fences.
Dalwich, successful at Bellewstown last week, followed up in the Ballybeggan Racegoers’ Club Handicap. Powerfully handled by the talented Chris Hayes, also on the mark with Sina Cova, Dalwich got the best of the battle with Langkawi Bay inside the final furlong.
*FRAN BERRY, the current leader in the jockeys' championship, may face a long spell on the sidelines.
He took a crashing fall at the Curragh on Saturday when his mount, Indian Rite, fell and broke a leg in a maiden. Indian Rite brought down Redstone Dancer and her rider, Michael Kinane, broke his right wrist.
Berry, however, fractured his chest bone and was reported yesterday by Turf Club medical officer, Dr Walter Halley, to have also suffered a neck injury. Said Halley: “He has been moved to the Mater Hospital, but I can confirm he has no spinal injury. He will be out for some time, but I don't know for how long.”
