Absolutelyfabulous for the punters, but not for the starter
The six runners were due to leave the stalls at 5.50, or shortly after, but starter, Joe Banahan, left them away a full four minutes prior to the official off-time.
Coming hot on the heels of the Your Sum Man debacle at Punchestown on Saturday, you could hardly describe it as the ideal public relations exercise.
The stewards again went through the motions of holding an inquiry, but have the power to allow such a result to stand and duly went down that road. They referred the matter to the Referrals Committee for full investigation.
Victory went to the heavily-backed Absolutelyfabulous, driven out in fine style in the closing stages by in-form Wayne Lordan. Unlucky horse of the contest was runner-up That’s Hot, who had far from a clear run and by the time Johnny Murtagh extricated her it was all too late.
David Wachman said of Absolutelyfabulous: “That’s grand, she’s a stakes winner now. Six furlongs, or even seven, is her trip and she’s in all those good sprints.”
Dermot Weld introduced a nice newcomer in the daughter of Rainbow Quest, Fancy Dance, to take the Coolmore Fasliyev Fillies Maiden.
Pat Smullen was in no hurry, but she quickened in fine style once asked entering the final furlong to beat Downtown.
Weld was represented by his son, Kris, who said: “She is a full sister to Tuning, who won the Ebor for Henry Cecil. We have always liked her and, hopefully, she will go for black type next.”
Ger Lyons’ newcomer Remind Me Monday was all the rage in the morning from 5-2 and duly landed the money in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
He scored with plenty in hand, after Johnny Murtagh had eased him ahead with over a furlong to run.
“He’s a grand sort”, reported Lyons. “I don’t necessarily like to see my horses start at such a short price (5-4) first time out.
“I don’t know who backed it, we are not a punting yard. There are no big plans, but he is one we like.”
Michael Hourigan has been having a dreadful time, but the smile was back on his face after Chevaux Loco, the 12-1 outsider of the five runners, took the Mount Ruby Handicap Chase.
It was the trainer’s first winner since Beef Or Salmon landed the Hennessy at Leopardstown in February.
Chevaux Loco got a smashing ride from Denis O’Regan, who brought him with superb timing to cut down Mareflot coming away from the final fence.
“You have to take the rough with the smooth”, said Hourigan. “This horse will now go to Killarney.”
Gleann An Sagart, down in class from his last run at Punchestown and impressive when taking his maiden here, showed he’s a fair operator on this surface with an easy success in the Mallow Hurdle.
Michael Darcy popped away in front and didn’t have to be in any way hard on him over the final three flights to beat Robbie Mac with plenty in hand.
Merveilles, who failed to get off the mark over flights for the winter, looked a different proposition in the Glantane Handicap.
He chased the strong pace set by Treasure Map and kept going strongly for Fran Berry once sent on with some two furlongs to run.
Dbest was long odds-on to win the very moderate Charleville Beginners Chase and, leading going to four out, strode home 18 lengths to the good over De Luain Gorm.
