Berry’s flying visit yields a double
Berry won on his two mounts, both for John Oxx - he scored on Osterhase as well - and they left the on-course layers all the poorer.
Oxx's newcomer Zanderi proved far too good for the once-raced Cherokee Stream in the ww.banshahousestables.com Maiden.
The son of Kalanisi was nicely backed, tightening to 6-4 from 2-1. It took a while for the penny to drop, but the winner found plenty for Berry pressure to quicken past his rival inside the furlong pole.
Jimmy O'Neill represented Oxx and said: “He was very green, you could see that the way he ran. He will now go for a handicap and step up a furlong.”
The Berry-Oxx double was completed when Vorteeva redeemed the promise of his unlucky Curragh debut.
Taken from 9-4 to 13-8, the son of Bahri made just about all, quickening seven lengths clear in the straight.
Commented O'Neill: “Fran felt that with a clear run he might have been in the first three at the Curragh.
“Obviously, he has come on a little bit, but we have no plans.”
Vorteeva was the first juvenile winner of the season for Oxx.
Andrew McNamara gave Red Square Lady a dashing drive to foil heavily-backed Callow Lake in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle.
This trip - two miles - was arguably short of the winner's best and McNamara started the long surge for home heading to the fourth last. Callow Lake, whose jumping left a bit to be desired, appeared to be going much the better before two out, but when push came to shove it was Red Square Lady who had the answers.
Commented trainer, Michael Philips: “She will have to go to Galway and take her chance in the Hurdle after that. I am very lucky to have a sound mare like her.”
Jessica Harrington ruled out the Galway Hurdle for Callow Lake and indicated he was more likely to run on the flat at the meeting.
Artiste Bay proved what a tough four-year-old he is when battling powerfully to take the three mile Ramada Ballysteen Hurdle. The contest revolved round an incident at the last, where Merry Star, a major morning-price gamble, just about held the call. But she landed awkwardly at the back of the obstacle, lost her action and hampered Artiste Bay.
The winner, however, picked up really well for Tom Molloy and forged ahead in the last hundred yards to score by a snug length.
“We just about got away with the ground”, reported trainer Eoin Griffin. “If the surface was nice at Galway then he will probably run in the Freshways Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday.”
Paul McMahon, who rode his first winner, after ten years of trying, on Medical Debenture at Limerick, doubled the total aboard the same horse in the winners' Bumper. The six-year-old came with a steady run in the straight to beat Khatimam, with the front-running and well-backed Cobham dropping out, after looking sure to score off the home turn.
“Paul is getting great enjoyment out of him and we will try and find an amateur flat race now,” said trainer, Michael Halford.
The Pat O'Donnell trained Lone Plainsman put up a fine performance to defy 10-0 in the Tipp FM Handicap. He stayed on really well for Tadhg O'Shea driving through the last furlong to hold Adriatic by half a length.
Meanwhile, O'Shea had decided to try his luck across channel. He goes to England next weekend and intends to base himself in Lambourn and to ride out for Brian Meehan.
Enfield Chase made a brave attempt from the front in the Jack and Jill, Crumlin Hospital Mascot Derby Handicap. He usually struggles at the end of his races, however, and Dynamo Dancer and Willie Supple swept through late to score by three parts of a length.
John Flynn enjoyed a welcome turn when David Casey forced Deise Dreamer up on the line to collar the favourite, Zaydar, in the O'Dwyer Tarmac Handicap Hurdle.
