Well-in Aura of Calm duly lives up to billing with smooth success
He won in the proverbial canter at Clonmel the previous Wednesday and the handicapper wasted no time putting him up 15lbs.
The theory then was that the four-year-old had 10lbs in hand on this occasion, competing under a paltry, mandatory, 5lbs penalty.
Partnered with typical confidence by Katie Walsh, Aura Of Calm was always cruising in mid-field.
Walsh got a dream run up the inside in the straight, Aura Of Calm struck the front with less than two furlongs to run and only had to be pushed out to score by four lengths.
Commented trainer, Willie Mullins: “He will now head to Listowel for another handicap. We will then have a look at going hurdling, he jumps really well.”
Euro Leader, backed from 5-4 to corresponding odds on, easily beat stable companion Adamant Approach to give Mullins another in the Newmarket Motors Volkswagen Hurdle.
Ridden by the promising Richie Kiely, Euro Leader, who was bred by Willie's mother, Maureen, cantered past Barrack Buster coming away from four out and hard as the veteran Adamant Approach tried in the straight, he could never get in a blow.
“Both horses are in good form and will head to Listowel”, reported Mullins. “Euro Leader (won the race last year) is in the Kerry National, but I am sure will have top weight and it might be too big an ask.
“There will be other options for him there, while I might send Adamant Approach back over fences.”
Mullins completed a treble when heavily-backed favourite Drumderry, also ridden by Katie Walsh, powered clear from the three furlong pole to take the Bumper. A winners of three now beckons for the Shernazar mare.
Deirdre Ryan took a bad fall from Nedin well before the home turn and was removed to Mallow Hospital with a broken collarbone.
Latino Magic was the one most punters wanted in the Cork Race, but he proved no match for market-rival, Golden Arrow.
Dermot Weld's colt, fresh from contesting the American Derby at Arlington, made every yard of the running, shooting clear early in the straight.
Pat Smullen, who did the driving, said: “He was entitled to win and I would have been disappointed if he hadn't. He enjoyed himself out in front.”
Pat Flynn continued his excellent campaign when Wangara landed the very competitive seven furlongs Mallow Handicap.
Danny Grant produced the daughter of Desert King with a decisive challenge inside the final furlong to beat Five Two.
“She will probably go to the sales at Goffs now”, reported Flynn.
Starspangled, who failed to win a maiden, got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Handicap.
Wayne Lordan bought the daughter Danehill through to head front-running Miss Blarney Stone with less than a furlong to go, as Distant Piper stayed on well to claim second.
From the stands it appeared as if Starspangled had edged across in front of Miss Blarney Stone, but the head-on film showed it was of no consequence.
Another who never won a maiden, Monty Mint, shrugged of top weight in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. Tom Foley's gelding was eased into the lead at the final flight by David Flannery and quickly scampered away from long-time leader, Luxi River.
For Flannery it was a welcome change of luck. This was his first ride back since breaking his collarbone at the Galway Festival.
