Irish Jig dances back to his best
“He was badly drawn at Epsom and got a bit upset in the stalls”, reported trainer, Ger Lyons. “He was in there a long time and, as well as that, was probably at Epsom a day too early.”
May Meeting edged ahead with less than two furlongs to run, but Niall McCullagh got a real tune from Irish Jig, who battled powerfully to get on top close home.
“He’s a horse who thrives on his racing and wants seven furlongs”, said Lyons. “He’s in plenty of races, but I have nothing particular in mind at the moment.”
Lyons completed a double when Out Of The Red and Martin Lane shrugged off top weight in the Kerry Group Handicap.
The Redback gelding was drawn out wide, but made light of that, finishing with a real flourish to beat Nell’s Girl.
“He was due that”, exclaimed Lyons. “He’s been second six times and you would have to start doubting him.
“But he’s dead honest, just hates being crowded. A wide draw was a big bonus and I told Martin to keep away from the other horses.”
The featured Group 3 Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes went to the Michael Halford-trained Nick’s Nikita, under a polished Rory Cleary drive.
In a contest which seemed to be run at a cracking gallop throughout, the daughter of Pivotal got to the front over a furlong down to beat the running-on Athenian Way by a length.
Said Halford: “We have had this race in our heads all season. She is consistent and honest and Rory gave her a great ride. She has come a long way from being just a handicapper, but I have no firm plans.”
Mark Loughnane enjoyed his first ever success with a two-year-old when Monadreen Flyer took the Tattersalls Ireland Auction Maiden.
The winner, under a strong Seamus Heffernan drive, got the best of a tight tussle with San Jose City through the final furlong.
Commented Loughnane: “I bought him at the Kempton breeze-up sales on the recommendation of Con Marnane.
“He’s not overly big, but has done the job now and got back his purchase price. He’s for sale as well.”
Second season Curragh handler Paul Deegan, formerly assistant to Mick Channon, had his first winner when Fereej landed the Golden Olive Maiden.
Eddie Ahern, at the track essentially to partner unplaced Wannabe Posh in the feature, had an armchair ride.
Fereej made every yard of the running, shooting away in the straight to score eased down by an easy two and a half lengths.
Empirical Power, absent since finishing 14th of 18 behind Hard Rock City at Leopardstown on September of 2005, streaked away with the Charleville Cheese Race.
Declan McDonogh never had a moments worry, as Eddie Lynam’s gelding powered clear to beat market-leader, Snaefell, unextended by four lengths.
Aliceinwonderland, taken from 6-1 to 4-1 co-favourite, made every yard of the running for Wayne Lordan in the Move Over Butter Handicap.
Another handicap will be next according to in-form handler, David Wachman.
