Latham benefits as Murtagh misses out
Murtagh was in London appealing, unsuccessfully, against a five-day ban imposed by the stewards at Royal Ascot.
His plane was delayed for several hours and Keagan Latham replaced him aboard Rain Delayed in the four runner BBQ Night At Tipperary Race over five furlongs.
Latham proved a more than able deputy, guiding Ger Lyon’s charge, 4-6 to 2-5, to a smooth success.
Rain Delayed was in front some two furlongs from home and only had to be pushed out to hold the late rush of Douze Points.
Lyons was represented by his brother, Shane, who said: “He deserved that, after running so well at Sandown.
“He’s a beautiful horse and will be even better with another year under his belt. He is developing all the time.”
Atlantic Cycle, trained by former Kildare senior footballer, Willie McCreery, and also partnered buy Latham, was a strong favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden and didn’t disappoint.
She reared badly coming out of stalls at Navan previously, immediately losing her chance, but was away in a flash here, making all to score unextended by ten lengths.
“She’s a nice little filly, but I have nothing really planned for her”, revealed McCreery.
Tommy Stack introduced a decent newcomer in Carazam, a first winner for Azamour, who did well to take the Thomastown Castle Stables Median Auction Maiden.
He could hardly have been more slowly away, losing six to eight lengths, and had to be quickly ridden to close by Wayne Lordan.
Still only fourth approaching the home turn, Carazam lengthened in style from the furlong pole to sweep clear and score cosily by a length and a half.
“Wayne said he has never ridden a more green two-year-old for us”, reported Fozzy Stack. “I don’t know where he will go next, we will take it one step at the time.”
Conry, far from neglected in the market, came late and fast for Chris Hayes to win the
Galtee Walking Club Handicap.
Spavento flattered through the final two furlongs, but Hayes’ timing was impeccable and he mugged the leader close home.
Trainer, Caroline Hutchinson, said: “He deserved that, having been unlucky the last day when drawn wide. We will freshen him up now and find another handicap.”
John Oxx’s hitherto once-raced Carrig Girl added to a poor night for the layers when justifying 5-2 to 7-4 in the Freshford Maiden.
Pushed ahead with a furlong and a half to cover, she stayed on to beat Bannow Rose with a little in hand.
Assistant trainer, Slim O’Neill, commented: “She was very green at Cork the last day and will now go for a handicap.”
Morrigan ran fast throughout, on the stands’ side, to land the five furlongs Stonethrower Handicap.
Powerfully handled by Pat Smullen, the winner held a clear advantage well over a furlong down, holding on well to beat Ucanchoose by half a length.
Charlie Swan continued his terrific run when in-form Rajik shrugged off top weight in the Longways Handicap.
Given a quite superb drive by Derek O’Connor, Rajik came from behind to ease clear inside the furlong pole.
Finally, the stewards inquired into a complaint lodged by trainer, Michael Halford, that the course was excessively watered and patchy as a result.
Course manager, Peter Roe, conceded that perhaps they had put a little too much water on the track.
Roe was advised by the stewards to be more careful when it came to watering in the future.
