Goffs Million next for progressive Lisvale
Beautifully handled by Wayne Lordan, the imposing son of Danehill Dancer was pushed ahead over a furlong from home and found plenty in the closing stages to easily hold Achill Island.
“He was bought to run in the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Million (Sept. 14) at the Currgah and that will be next”, said trainer, David Wachman.
“I haven’t done a lot with him since he won at the Curragh and he is a horse who should be going forward all the time.”
Lisvale carried the colours of Moira McNamara, wife of Bernard McNamara, who owns the Parknasilla Hotel in Sneem and sponsors the Goffs race.
Cloone Rocket had little more than a good school on his way to landing the Tipperary Town and District Publicans and Restaurants Hurdle.
This was his third victory in four races and David Casey allowed him stride on heading to the three out.
Paramount was close enough jumping the final flight and tried to close on the level, but Casey only asked for the minimum to score by half a length.
Commented trainer, Charlie Swan: “It was good to get a race like that, but he is better in a true-run contest.
“We might run him in a handicap to sharpen his jumping and he could go to Tralee.”
Kevin Prendergast’s Sawalef, disappointing until now, was far too good for her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
Revelling in the ground, she made just about all for Declan McDonogh, lengthening three lengths clear from the furlong pole.
Ger Lyon’s Epic Odyssey went off a well-backed favourite, but ran no sort of race, struggling throughout.
“He’s better than ever”, reported McDonogh after he completed a double aboard Senor Benny in the Tipperary Town and District Traders’ Handicap.
Trained by Galway handler Kevin McDonagh, Senor Benny was winning his eighth race and was always getting the best of a final furlong tussle with Benwilt Breeze.
“That makes up for the Curragh, where he was caught in behind horses”, said McDonagh. “He will probably have to step into Listed company now.”
Valamareha, who scored in a canter at Galway, had a theoretical 9lbs in hand in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
She won alright, but certainly with nothing like that amount up her sleeve. The daughter of Val Royal had a lot to do at half way, but made giant strides from the rear to shoot ahead a furlong and a half out.
Prince Livius was soon in pursuit, but the post came in time and Valamahera was a fast diminishing head to the good at the line.
Shane Foley, apprenticed to Michael Halford, did the driving. He comes from Kilkenny, is 19 years-of-age and this was his fourth success.
Michael Snee, who partnered Kilmurry Lady in this race, was found guilty of improper riding and suspended for ten days.
Denis O’Reagn produced Robbie Burns’ Mahrajaan with impeccable timing to ease ahead between the final two flights to take the Tipperary Town and District Professionals Maiden Hurdle.
Said Burns: “He did it nicely and should improve again. We are only a small yard and it is great to have a winner.” Young Jack Doyle will have enjoyed bringing Brize Norton with a sweeping late challenge to collar Ruby Walsh and front-running Killeen Castle at the last in the Hideout Pub Sologhead Handicap Hurdle.
Doyle’s father, Pat, trains Brize Norton and said: “He stays well, I made a mistake running him at Cork last time. He needs to go left-handed and should have gone to Killarney instead.”
