St Devote ends barren spell for Griffin
“I nearly had to be pointed in the direction of the winner's enclosure, it has been so long”, said a relieved
Griffin.
Paul Townend had the ride and he produced St Devote to ease pastTaralga two out to win going away by five and a half lengths from John The Soldier.
“We had a terrible time last season, so hopefully this is a sign of things to come”, said Griffin.
“He was a very weak horse and just needed a break. He will get an entry for a handicap at Killarney, but Galway is the target.”
Paul Nolan had his first winner of the new campaign when Ach Aye Surely cropped up at 10-1 in the Super Sunday 16th May Handicap Hurdle. She got a grand run though on the far side to lead at the last and then ease away on the flat for Alain Cawley.
“I didn’t know if she’d handle the ground, she had only been running on soft,” said Nolan.
“It was be chasing sooner rather than later, she will get a nice allowance as a five-year-old.”
Nolan completed a double when the well-touted ex-winning pointer, Westmeath, battled on dourly for Katie Walsh to win the Bumper.
“I lost my stick half way up the run in and am glad to be standing here, rather than over there (pointing at the number two berth),” remarked Walsh.
The Kayf Tara gelding led under two furlongs down and Walsh managed to keep his head in front, as Good Time Donie threatened danger in the closing stages.
Commented Nolan: “He’s a lovely horse, as nice as I’ve had in a while. The ground was a bit quick for him, but he will go home now and come back over hurdles next season.”
Dessie Hughes’ Trimbellina was a desperately unlucky loser of the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Mares’ Beginners Chase. She gave an exhibition of jumping in front and was comfortably clear going down to the final fence. The daughter of Presenting, however, made her one and only mistake here and paid the ultimate penalty.
Fighting a losing battle at the time was Cruising Katie, but she was left clear to easily beat Amy’s Song. The daughter of Beneficial is trained Richard Cotter at Ballynoe, Co Cork and he reported: “She loves that ground. She only came in in February, seems to be buzzing and will keep going through the summer.”
The Michael Winters-trained Shake The Bottle won the Sca Nutrition Handicap Chase at odds of 20-1. Given a fine drive by Donal MacAuley, he swept up late to collar the flattering Premier Hero, the verdict half a length.
“He's a funny horse”, said Winters. “You could dispose of him at different stages, but has ability and it can come out of the blue.”
Eoin Griffin, on the mark earlier with St Devote, looked set for a double going to the last in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase. His Norther Bay, in front from the fourth, still held the call and jumped the obstacle perfectly.
He buckled badly at the back of it, however, leaving the door open for Beau Michael, who stayed on to score by a length and a quarter. Favourite, Raise Your Heart, was holding every chance when taking a fatal fall at the second last.
Philip Fenton's Ball Of Blue won the www.limerickraces.ie Special Packages Handicap Hurdle with a lot in hand. Corky Carroll sent him on heading to two out and the seven-year-old quickly lengthened clear.
