McDonogh 11 ahead in title race after treble
Adrian McGuinness and McDonogh have developed into a cracking combination and they were on the mark again with Salishan in the Kirbys' Brogue Inn-Kirbys' Lanterns Handicap.
This superb pilot had the daughter of Namid in front shortly after the start and she stretched five and a half lengths clear in the straight.
“She could go to Ballinrobe next Tuesday, the alternative is a trip across the water”, reported trainer McGuinness.
McDonogh was on the mark for his boss, Kevin Prendergast, when Talwin landed the nine furlongs Guinness Handicap.
The daughter of Alhaarth disappointed at the Curragh previously on quick ground, but was much more at home on this surface. McDonogh was in no hurry, powering through inside the furlong pole to grab the front-running Sweet Petite.
Winner number three came on another Prendergast inmate, Phantom Lad, in the Dillon Plant Hire Maiden.
Again it was a case of the Desert Prince gelding handling the conditions better than most of the opposition. The exception was runner-up Settigano, after the pair had a tremendous tussle in the closing stages, the verdict a short head. McDonogh, with six winners in total at Listowel for the week, now leads Pat Smullen by 76-65.
Fears the ground would find out Davenport Democrat in the Southampton Goodwill Chase proved unfounded, although whether the result might have been different had his main market rival, Barrow Drive, remained in the contest is a moot point.
There wasn't much between them at the fourth last, but Barrow Drive crashed into the obstacle, giving Barry Geraghty no chance of keeping the partnership intact.
After that Ruby Walsh kept Davenport Democrat together in fine style to beat Light On The Broom and Steel Band. “I think we've had a lucky day”, said trainer, Willie Mullins. “I will keep going with him until the ground gets really heavy! Races like the Lottery Chase at Gowran Park and the Clonmel Oil Chase are possibilities, as well as Cheltenham in November.”
Only two counted in the market for the John J Galvin Maiden Hurdle and they dominated the finish with victory going to the favourite, Optimus Prime, over Aces Or Better.
The latter tried to make all, but a couple of sloppy jumps didn't help and he was worn down on the run-in by the Paul Carberry-partnered Optimus Prime. The stewards inquired into an incident in the vicinty of the final flight, where Optimus Prime clearly hampered third placed Caola Mann. The result wasn't in any way affected, with the stewards deciding a caution was sufficient punishment for Carberry.
Commented winning handler, Liam Burke: “He appreciated the two and a half miles. We will give him another try over hurdles, but chasing will be his game.”
An Fear Doiteain, second in his only point-to-point at Ballynoe, dug deep to win the Bumper. Trained by Pat Doyle and ridden by his son, Jack, the five-year-old made most, staying on doggedly when challenged through the last furlong and a half by Ballycullen Boy.
Rain Rush, given the week we've had, was the most appropriate winner of the five days thus far when taking the Jet O'Carroll Memorial Median Auction Maiden. David Marnane's Monasheee Mountain gelding handled the surface far better than any his rivals, making all and having this in safe keeping off the final bend in the hands of Billy Lee.
