Soft touch for Vision
Mildly disappointing on a yielding surface five days earlier in the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown, the daughter of Danehill Dancer was clearly much happier on this testing ground.
She shot to the front turning in for Rory Cleary and bounded away to beat hold-up horse, Crooked Throw, by seven lengths.
Commented Halford: “I thought Leopardstown might have taken the edge off her, but she just handles that ground exceptionally well.
“I’m not sure what will be next, but think she deserved to win a Listed race.”
Indiana Gal is proving a fine servant to the Pat Martin yard and she provided the answer to the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Nursery.
Driven into the lead by Declan McDonogh well over a furlong down, she answered every call to hold top weight, Brazilian Star.
“She’s tough and laid-back”, reported Martin.
“We will try and get her some black type, but she will have a little break first.”
Pat Smullen was seen at his strongest when completing a double for Martin aboard Gilberto in the Fabric and Furniture Centre Handicap.
Smullen was down in the drive position approaching the straight, but got a generous response and Gilberto battled on to shake off Banna Man and then hold Marikhar.
Said Martin: “He’s had a problem with a joint, but it is fantastic to have him back, he seems to be in good form now.”
Thomond O’Mara, on the mark on Wednesday in the Guinness Gold Cup with Eagle’s Pass, did the business again when Togher Castle stayed on dourly for Wayne Lordan to win the Timmy Houlihan Handicap.
The seven-year-old got the full Lordan treatment in the closing stages to beat Diyla by a hard-earned half a length.
Said O’Mara: “He wasn’t winning out of turn. I thought he was too badly drawn, but got a great ride from Wayne.”
Togher Castle is owned by Noel O’Donovan from Dunmanway, who is holidaying in Bulgaria at the moment.
Wesley Hayes, at the ripe old age of 30, rode his first winner when guiding Mister Month to an all-the-way success in the Tralee Vintners’ Paddy Kearns Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
Mister Month was having his first outing since February and his first since being operated on for his wind.
Said trainer, Charlie Swan: “I am delighted for Wesley, he is a great horseman and a great worker. He’s been with me for six months, I robbed him from Mick Murphy!”
Punters, badly in need of some respite, ripped into the Kevin Prendergast-trained Wrong Number in the Maurice Carroll Bookmaking Ltd EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Taken from 11-8 to evens, he showed all the right qualities under a strong Chris Hayes drive.
Jim Bolger’s well-regarded newcomer, Árd Fheis, put it up to the favourite early in the straight, but Wrong Number was always getting the best of the battle, scoring by a cosy half a length.
Peter Henley’s Meancog swept ahead off the home turn, under an enterprising ride from Martin Lane, to easily beat Racjilanemm in the Ballybeggan Racegoers’ Club Handicap.
“I don’t know what happened to her the last day, but she had to have a chance on her previous run at Tipperary’, said Henley.
“I’m not sure what will be next, we will see what the handicapper does, but she is really at home on that type ofground.”
Mustangsallyrally absolutely ran away with the Ladbrokes’ Handicap Hurdle, after Emmet Mullins had eased him into the lead going to three out.
