Tax Free digs deep to complete great weekend for Nicholls
On Saturday, Nicholls won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Arc Bleu for Tony Martin and the performance of the admirably consistent Tax Free was the icing on the cake.
Now a six-year-old and trained by his father, Dandy, the Tagula gelding simply gets better and better with age.
Benbaun ran fast throughout and, momentarily, looked the likely winner at the furlong pole. But Tax Free dug deep and quickened in style to go away from his rival to score by a comfortable length and a quarter.
“Tell Aidan O’Brien that if I ever come to train in Ireland he’ll lose his championship”, said an ecstatic Nicholls, obviously very much tongue in cheek.
“I’ve never seen the horse look as well as he did today. He’s as tough as teak, a legend and a credit to himself.
“The yard is in flying form and Adrian is riding very well. I’m absolutely over the moon. We will just carry on with him and keep coming back to Ireland.”
O’Brien’s Mastercraftsman went off a heavily-backed odds-on favourite for the One 51 Railway Stakes, but it took a vintage Johnny Murtagh drive to land the wagers.
It was a three-way war from the furlong pole, with Murtagh conjuring a terrific late surge from the son of Danehill Dancer to beat Alhaban and Intense Focus by a short head and a neck.
Commented O’Brien: “He’s still a baby and learning all the time. He’s just getting organised and won’t mind stepping up in trip.
“This is a big, long-striding horse, who will be better on better ground. His next race will be over seven furlongs.”
Declan McDonogh, who rode Alhaban, was found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and suspended for two days.
Wayne Lordan produced Lisvale with impeccable timing to take the Listed Woodies DIY Celebration Stakes on Lisvale. Jumbajukiba set a scorching gallop and had a clear advantage for much of the straight. But he probably went a shade too quickly for his own good and had nothing left when Lordan launched his final effort inside the furlong pole.
Commented trainer, David Wachman: “He did that well, a true run mile is what he wants. Wayne was very, very good, he makes it look easy. This is a horse I could take to America.”
Dermot Weld has been hitting the bar a fair bit of late, but his Profound Beauty outclassed her rivals off top weight in the Dubai Duty Free 25th Anniversary EBF Handicap.
She was always travelling like a winner and the outcome was never in doubt once Pat Smullen pushed her clear at the furlong pole. Said Weld: “That was a good weight-carrying performance by a classy mare. She deserved that and I thought she’d win too.
“She could be a horse for the Ebor (York) and the Irish Leger and will stay in training next season.”
Co Kilkenny handler, Michael Fitzgerald, saddled his first winner at headquarters when Settigano made light of top weight in the ladbrokes.com Handicap.
Powered into the lead inside the furlong pole by Seamus Heffernan, Settigano was always holding the late rush of Ryan Moore on the favourite, Zero Tolerance.
“It’s great to have a winner on Derby day”, exclaimed Fitzgerald. “He loved the juice in the ground and got a super ride from Seamie. The handicapper probably has the horse now, but he will have a break and we will freshen him up.”
Jim Bolger’s Rock Moss, who had made a promising seasonal debut at Fairyhouse a couple of days earlier, popped up at 20-1 in the Netjets Scurry Handicap.
Superby handled by David Moran, he came from behind to ease ahead inside the furlong pole to beat Northern Dare. The winner carried the colours of Bolger’s daughter, Fiona.
Finally, the first possible signs the so-called recession may be starting to hit racing were signposted when the layers held €371,241 less than last year.
