Conna Castle back on track after Galway disappointment
“He came back with a haematoma on his pelvis and did no work for two weeks”, reported trainer, Jimmy Mangan.
This was a thriller with eventual second, Knight Legend, producing a much improved display of jumping, after Barry Geraghty had allowed him bowl along in front with well over a circuit to cover.
Conna Castle tracked him to the home turn, but for most of the straight looked to be fighting a losing battle, as he tried to close down the leader.
Knight Legend, however, was a trifle awkward at the final fence and Davy Russell quickly seized his chance to drive Conna Castle into contention.
Gradually, Mangan’s star edged closer and, in a driving finish, was a short head to the good at the line.
Said Mangan: “Davy is a top class jockey and didn’t panic. Conna will now go to Roscommon and will run in all the top novice races this season.”
First season Curragh handler, Paul Deegan, saddled his second winner when Ghostmilk took the McElligotts’ Tralee Rover-Landrover Handicap.
Marker-leader, Maid Of Lorn, tried to make all, but Seamus Heffernan brought the daughter of Golan with an irresistible surge to cut her down.
“Seamie gave her a fabulous ride, this has been long overdue”, exclaimed Deegan. “She has really been a victim of her own consistency.”
Settigano, having a first outing for Michael Fitzgerald, produced a remarkable display to take the valuable Guinness Handicap.
The Sadler’s Wells colt went off favourite and was the clear form horse, but looked a remote possibility for most of the journey.
Partnered by Kieren Fallon, however, he found real reserves up the straight to come from last to first and score going away.
Fitzgerald trains at Gowran, Co Kilkenny and only has Settigano some six weeks.
Seamus Fahey added to his gains on Thursday with Marikhar when Vicky Lane took the Kirbys’ Brogue Inn/Kirbys’ Lanterns Handicap.
Successful at this meeting two years ago, she powered clear in the closing stages to score by four and a half lengths for Pat Shanahan.
Fahey indicated that if Vicky Lane eats up overnight she would turn out again at Fairyhouse today.
Mojito Royale was all the rage in the ring for the Dillon Plant Hire Maiden, Eoin Doyle’s gelding finding 6-4 from 3-1.
When Declan McDonogh pushed him several lengths clear early in the straight, it looked money well invested.
But Willie Supple conjured a terrific late surge from the hitherto disappointing Head Of The River, who was well on top through the final hundred yards.
The John Oxx-trained newcomer Midnight Folk landed some decent wagers in the Jet O’Carroll Memorial Median Auction Maiden.
Taken from 4-1 to 5-2, the son of Xaar never gave supporters any cause for concern. Always on the pace, he was pushed clear early in the straight by Michael Kinane, stretching away to score unextended by five lengths.
“He was a horse we liked in the spring, but had a setback”, reported Kinane. “He should go forward from this and may well be capable of holding his own in a stakes race.”
Corribbridge ran his rivals ragged to win what looked a very moderate John J Galvin Maiden Hurdle.
Tom Doyle took no prisoners on the Kieran Purcell-trained gelding, setting a scorching gallop and keeping enough in reserve to beat Arkendale.
