Impressive Mirasol waltzes away with Listed prize
“I’ve never even been here before”, reported Callan. “I saw plenty of the track on the way in on the chopper and had a good walk around.”
The Deportivo colt, backed from a little 6-4 to 4-5, ran fast throughout and had this in safe keeping from the two furlong pole, easing clear to beat Nubar Lady with lots in hand.
“He was impressive and handled the ground pretty well”, said Callan. “He’s a tough little horse, who seems to be getting quicker with experience.
“It is always great to come home and ride winners. I want to ride my first winner on my home ground now, the Curragh.”
Ryan didn’t make the journey, but was represented by travelling head-man, John Murray. Commented Murray: “He could come back here for another Listed race in October.”
Much of the rest of the programme was a Johnny Murtagh benefit, as he booted home a treble, including Psalm in the other Listed race, the Stallion Farms’ EBF Fairy Bridge Stakes.
Heavily-backed favourite, Sharleez, hit the front a furlong down, as Murtagh began to weave his way through from a very unpromising position.
But, typical of the pilot, his timing was impeccable and Aidan O’Brien’s Psalm flashed up to grab Sharleez close home.
The Dunbavin Maiden looked a particularly modest heat, but did produce a ready winner in David Wachman’s Astonish, Murtagh’s opening salvo.
The daughter of Cape Cross had this in safe keeping a fair way out and was in total control in the final furlong.
“We will go down the handicap route and take it from there”, said Wachman, with more than a hint of realism.
Murtagh was also on the mark when Divinitus gave Michael Grassick a welcome turn in the Super Sunday On October 5th Rated Race.
Grassick was represented by his son, Michael, who said: “Our horses haven’t been well, but are coming to themselves.
“This fellow has been fine, but he’s one we’ve always liked and gave him a break. We will see what the handicapper does before making any plans.”
Murtagh soon had the Medicean colt in front and saved plenty, as Sinsational and Essexford tried to close.
The Imperial Call colours of Lisselan Farms were back in the winner’s enclosure after the Dermot Weld-trained Liebermann took the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
The son of Big Shuffle forged ahead just over a furlong down to easily beat Scandal Sheet by a length and three parts. Liebermann was returned at 14-1, but paid in excess of 42-1 on the Tote.
The big eye-catcher, however, was Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer, Golden Sword, who stayed on for third, under tender Murtagh handling.
Pat Smullen partnered Liebermann and he and Weld combined for an 89-1 double with Medicio in the Gerald Mullins Electrical Contractor Nursery.
Smullen was seen at his strongest as well, rallying Medicio to get the best of a tight tussle with Optimal Power by a short head.
The conditions of the Aherlow House Hotel and Lodges Race were hardly in favour of top weight, Tornadodancer, but he made light of it to score under Martin Harley.
Tom McCourt’s inmate was badly in at the weights, but those rated his superior were largely out of form and he had no trouble following up a recent success at Dundalk.
Indeed, it was Tornadodancer who showed much the greater resolution through the final furlong to beat Shining Armour a snug three parts of a length.
Fastnowfast, a 20-1 shot, lived up to her name when rattling home late for Wayne Lordan to land the concluding handicap.
She lost the contest in the stewards’ room, however, in favour of Lime Tree Valley, after edging across towards her rival in the closing stages.
Chris Geoghegan never stopped riding on the second, however, and there was a neck between them at the line. To my eyes, this was a harsh decision.
Lordan was subsequently suspended for three days, having been found guilty of careless riding.
