Everything’s just Dandy for Marnane
The first horse trained in Ireland for Dubai-based owner Malih Lahej Al Basti (who has twenty-eight in training in Britain), the tough Danetime colt battled bravely under Colm O’Donoghue to overcome Curl Cat and Deal Breaker in a three-way tussle.
Marnane, at the Curragh, was represented by his brother, successful bloodstock agent Con, who commented: “It’s been a great week. I sold July Cup winner Fleeting Spirit and She’s Our Mark, which won the fillies listed race at the Curragh today.
“I bought this lad in Italy and sold him on to Malih, who is in charge of the new Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, which is due to open this winter. This horse won well and is improving. I’m not sure where David will go with him now.”
Ger Lyons is enjoying a tremendous run with his two-year-olds and struck again when debutant Invincible Vibes, ridden by Keagan Latham, turned over odds-on favourite Dream Deer in the Best Rate Bureau Of Newry 2-Y-0 Race.
“As I’ve said before, I have a lovely bunch of two-year-olds and this fellow is up there with the best of them,” said Lyons. “Like most of mine, he was very professional and there’s a lot of improvement in him. I bought him out of the Breeze-up in Doncaster. He’s the first horse I’ve trained for David Spratt.”
While his heart was in Croke Park, Willie McCreery, a dual Leinster Championship winner with Kildare, saddled Liberty Island to win the opening, five-furlong Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk Handicap, getting the better of Trotting Weasel.
McCreey admitted: “This makes up for not being in ‘Croker’. He’s a tough customer and needs fast ground, which he hasn’t had enough of this summer. He seems to be improving and his low draw in stall one was probably the key today.”
Liberty Island was ridden by Davy Moran who went close to completing a double for David Marnane on Cool Athlete in the Pelican Promotions Handicap. But the combination lost out in a finish of short-heads. Moran picked up a two-day ban for using his whip with excessive force and frequency. Victory went to Vaporetto, trained by Philip Rothwell for veteran owner Basil Brindley and ridden by Willie Supple.
Galway-born John Egan celebrated his first winner since returning from England when Champagne Blitz gave Egan’s fellow Galway man Muredach Kelly a rare flat winner in the Instant Print Of Armagh Maiden.
Egan dictated the pace on the Viking Ruler filly and kept the Ger Lyons-trained, Keagan Latham-ridden Cheveyo at bay by a head. Egan quipped: “I’m back and I’ll ride for anyone who wants me.”
After a few near misses, Michael Halford enjoyed a change of luck when second reserve Tapioca, strongly ridden by in-form apprentice Shane Foley, got the better of Princess Lomi in the Connolly Kelly Chartered Accountants Handicap.
