Finns Cross keeps the locals happy
Enterprisingly handled by Eoin McCarthy, Finns Cross was in front well before the straight and the 19-year-old rider, this was his seventh win, lost little in the closing stages as Davy Russell ranged up a big danger aboard Piano Star.
Commented Lynch: “Eoin gave him a brilliant drive, he is the most under-rated 7lbs conditional in the country.
“This is a horse with a big future as a chaser. We will find something for him at Galway and he will start over fences here in September.
Alan Crowe rode his third winner since returning from injury, sustained at the Grand National meeting at Aintree, when Kadiskar sank some highly rated rivals in the E.R.A Horgan Properties Chase.
Conna Castle went off a warm market-leader and looked the most likely winner when coming from behind to lead going to two out.
But he found disappointingly little when let down by Denis O’Regan and Kadiskar was soon well in control.
The other disappointment was well-backed Mounthenry, who once again was less than enthusiastic.
His jumping left plenty to be desired and he trailed the field throughout, before being pulled up by Davy Russell with a circuit to cover.
Jimmy Coogan’s Dick Morris reaped the reward of consistency with a game display in the hands of Chris Geoghegan in the Croom House Stud Maiden.
Always in the first two, the Kalanisi gelding was sent on by Geoghegan off the home turn. Dealmaker Frank was soon in hot pursuit, but the winner never flinched and was a cosy half a length to the good at the line.
Dick Morris is owned by the five-member Glue Pot Syndicate from Kildare town, it’s their first horse, while Coogan missed the contest, at home recuperating with a sore back.
Islandbane, who has been in cracking form of late, faces a fair hike in the weights, following her cantering success in the first section of the Feale Handicap.
She hadn’t the best of the draws, but the canny Pat Shanahan had her out and away in a shot. He waited until approaching the three furlong pole before asking the mare to go about her business.
Islandbane was soon in powering clear and lengthened away over the final quarter mile to win with any amount in hand.
Summer Magic, who goes up 16lbs in the future, made light of a mandatory rise of 5lbs with a smooth victory in the second division of the same race.
She travelled supremely well through the contest for Billy Lee, sweeping ahead with less than a furlong to run.
Trainer, Tim Doyle, said: “She’s in foal to Redback and that might be helping. She may go to the Curragh at the weekend for a mile fillies handicap.”
The conditions of the Ballyduff Mares Hurdle appeared stacked against Killeen Castle, but Ted Walsh’s game sort had experience on her side and, in the end, that was the most vital factor.
She made every yard of the running, but Gary Hutchinson’s mount looked set to be swamped going to the final flight by the long odds-on Impudent.
The favourite, however, stepped into the last and Killeen Castle kept finding for pressure to hold on by a length.
Miss Mason and Ashling O’Brien got the best of a desperate last furlong tussle with Antigua Bay and Nina Carberry in the mile and six Kingdom Race.
It was a first for the 20-year-old pilot, who is a daughter of winning trainer, Kevin O’Brien. To add to the family success, Miss Mason is owned by Ashling’s mother, Mary.
Kevin Prendergast introduced a lovely newcomer in the Alhaarth filly, Dawla, to win the Ballybunion Median Auction Maiden.
She was pulling double over her rivals at all stages, easing ahead early in the straight to score hard held for Declan McDonogh by an unflattering seven lengths.
