Honolulu gives Fallon modicum of compensation
The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Montjeu had to survive a stewards’ inquiry, however, before being given the all clear.
Fallon sent Honolulu past Athenian Way with two furlongs to go, but he didn’t do a whole lot once hitting the lead.
He was inclined to edge across in front of Athenian Way and then, when given a slap by Fallon, bounced off the rails.
To his credit, though, Honolulu showed no signs of stopping and crossed the line cosily clear of Athenian Way, with Arch Rebel coming from the clouds to claim third.
Reported Fallon: “He’s still a big baby. He was like a two-year-old, watching everything. Seamie (Heffernan) was right, he said he’d win a Listed race”
Tommy Stack enjoyed his seventh success of the campaign when the imposing Strait Of Mewsina eased to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Surprisingly on offer as high as 7-4 in the ring, having performed with real promise on his debut at Leopardstown, the son of first-season sire Spartacus ultimately outclassed his rivals.
Momentarily caught for toe early in the straight, he found plenty once the questions were posed by Billy Lee.
Strait Of Mewsina soon lengthened and was well on top in the closing stages to score unextended by two lengths.
Fozzy Stack represented his father and said: “He’s a nice horse and will love going a mile and a quarter next season.
“He will have a break now and return at the back-end for a Listed or a Group 3.”
Noel Henley, who only took out a licence to train on the flat after his brother, Peadar, died last August, saddled his first winner at that game when Tigim took the Cunane Stratton Reynolds Handicap.
Tigim used to be in the care of Peader and his son, Peter, on the Curragh, but a move to Tallow has clearly done him no harm at all.
A whole wall of horses had a chance entering the final furlong, but the eight-year-old burst through under Michael Hussey to beat Tashadelek.
“This is fantastic, this is for Peader”, exclaimed Noel. “He has really freshened up since coming to us and has been enjoying going past point-to-pointers at home.”
Star Wood, a strong order morning-prices and on track as well, justified favouritism with a smooth success in the Croom House Stud EBF Fillies Handicap.
Trained at Gowran, Co Kilkenny by Michael Fitzgerald, she appeared to have it all to do off top weight.
But nothing could have been further from the truth. Beautifully handled by Pat Smullen, Star Wood made all the running, never coming off the bridle to beat So So Lucky, who would have to be described as rather unlucky to meet a mare in such form!
John Oxx’s Dance The Classics ran her rivals ragged to land the Ballyduane Stud EBF Fillies Maiden by five lengths.
Fran Berry allowed her stride on fully five furlongs from home and she eased clear to beat stable companion, Perfect Secretary.
Slim O’Neill did the honours for Oxx and commented: “She enjoyed the ease in the ground and we put the blinkers on because she has been running a bit lazy in her races”
The Chip Chopman followed his recent win at Ballinrobe when brought with impeccable timing by 16-year-old Paul Townend inside the furlong pole to take the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
A son of former jockey, Tim Townend, the youngster comes from Midleton, works for Willie Mullins and this was his first winner.
Mullins himself produced a tremendous training performance to win the Grant Thornton Maiden with Lidanski.
The daughter of Soviet Star hadn’t run for 684 days, but stripped fit and well, powering ahead early in the straight for Seamus Heffernan.
