Double puts McDonogh seven clear in title race

DECLAN MCDONOGH struck a major blow in his bid to be champion jockey for the first time when landing a double at the first stage of the Listowel Festival yesterday.

Admittedly, he had to settle for a dead-heat in the featured Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Premier Nursery aboard the morning-price gamble Star Inside, but will lose little sleep over that.

Mica's Island made a brave attempt from the front, but appeared to be headed close home by Star Inside, returned the 5-2 favourite after 11-2 was available in the offices.

Mica's Island battled back under Willie Supple driving, however, and the pair crossed the line locked together.

Kevin Prendergast trains Star Inside, he wasn't at the meeting, while Mica's Island is in the care of Andrew Oliver.

“We'll settle for that”, remarked Oliver, after the judge had made his thoughts known. “My horse put his head down and I'm pleased with that.”

McDonogh gave the 11-year-old Miracle Ridge a tremendous drive to take the Bank Of Ireland Handicap.

McDonogh grabbed a healthy advantage over two furlongs down and Adrian McGuinness' gelding refused to give it all back.

“He's brilliant, a super horse”, exclaimed McGuinness. “Both horse and jockey have been a revelation for me and this is Miracle Ridge's sixth win of the season. He will go for the Joe McGrath (Curragh) next.”

McDonogh has now riddden 71 winners for the campaign and leads nearest pursuer, Pat Smullen, by seven.

Supple completed a double when Skerries easily took the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Handicap.

Harry Rogers' daughter of Dr Fong won twice at the meeting a year ago and will try to replicate that feat back here on Friday.

Supple had her in front from the start and Skerries powered away up the straight to score with plenty in hand.

“My horses have been sick all year, she has just come right”, said Rogers.

Officer Krupke, a moderate performer when trained on the flat by Dermot Weld, but now with Willie Mullins, looks a different proposition entirely with a set of obstacles in front of him.

He won the hottest juvenile race run so far this season when sweeping ahead between the last two for Ruby Walsh to take the Devon Inn Hotel three-year-old Hurdle.

“I don't think he liked the Curragh and the owners asked me to take him”, said Mullins. “He seems to much prefer a country yard than wide open spaces.

“I think he needs further and softer ground and if he does handle soft then will be stepped up in class.”

David Wachman's Divine Night, 13th of 17 behind Fly Free at Leopardstown first time up, was much too good for her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Maiden.

Wayne Lordan eased her ahead well over a furlong down and the daughter of Danehill stretched clear to score unextended by three and a half lengths.

“She was very green at Leopardstown and lost as much as ten lengths at the start”, reported Wachman.

“The Flame Of Tara at the Curragh will probably be next.”

John White, best known as the man who partnered Esha Ness to win the void Aintree Grand National of '93, enjoyed a turn when saddling Gypsy Lord to land the John F McGuire Beginners Chase.

Dashingly handled by Shay Barry, the grey led four out and was always holding Articulation, 11-8 to evens, from the last.

Jessica Harrington's Desert Abbey, best for money in the ring and favourite, shot away off the last bend for Peter Fahey to easily win the Bumper.