Zoffany bounces back in style
Confidently handled by Seamus Heffernan, deputising for the suspended Johnny Murtagh, the Dansili colt quickened well when asked to sweep past the British raider Stentorian at the furlong-pole before scoring by two lengths.
Beaten over eight lengths when sixth to Strong Suit in the Coventry, Zoffany was recording his third win on home soil. And Heffernan enthused: “He’s a good horse. He was a bit disappointing in Ascot, but learned a lot from the experience. He’ll stay a mile, no problem. And he’s improving, because the fresheness is only coming out of him now.”
Invincible Ash followed-up her impressive National Lottery Sweepstake victory at the Curragh when landing the Clonkeen Fillies Race at the expense of Miss Velocity.
The Invincible Spirit mare, trained by Michael Halford for Roscommon owner PJ Condron, bowled along in front and had her four rivals in trouble approaching the furlong-pole, ultimately scoring by two and a half lengths.
“She didn’t do anything more than she was entitled to do,” declared Halford. “She didn’t have to be at her best and, realistically, wasn’t as fresh as she was on Sunday. But it was a good opportunity for her. And she’s ready to step into listed company now. We’ll freshen her up and get her ready for a listed fillies race at Naas (the Sweet Mimosa Stakes).”
The winner’s market rival Glorified ran deplorably, missing the break and being unable to deliver any sort of challenge before finishing last.
Champion apprentice Gary Carroll completed a double, in very different style, when he brought Inwood from last to first to win the Aslan Handicap, foiling He’s Got Rhythm, Qadar and My St.Clair, all trained by in-form David Marnane to fill second, third and fourth places.
Inwood is trained by Paul Magnier, who commented: “That was needed. We’ve had too many seconds. We only have seven horses. And I’ve been disappointed with this horse so often. He won’t run between horses, so I have to tell jockeys to drop him out and come around everything. And, in fairness, Gary did everything right tonight.”
Odds-on favourite Kissable, ridden by Declan McDonogh, got up close home to beat Palinode in the opening two-year-old fillies maiden, building on the promise of her debut run at Limerick.
A daughter of Danehill Dancer, Kissable is trained by Kevin Prendergast who, according to James Kelly, Racing Manager to the filly’s owner Lady O’Reilly, “thinks the world of her.”
Kelly added: “The ground is probably a little too quick for her, so she did well to win. She’ll come back here for a Group 3 in two weeks time and, hopefully, will then go for the Moyglare.”
Not even McDonogh’s strength was enough to get Alajan past the Jim Bolger-trained Via Archimede in the Foxrock Handicap over a mile and a half.
Having dictated the pace, the 12/1 shot needed numerous slaps down the shoulder from apprentice Ronan Whelan to prevent him hanging off the rail on the home-turn and then responded to strong riding to keep Alajan at bay by a head.
Whelan and the trainer’s representative Ger Flynn were interviewed by the Stewards concerning the rider’s use of his whip. But their explanations were accepted.
The owners of Miss Faustina were facing a dilemma following the filly’s narrow victory over One Set in the Rochestown Handicap.
The Antonius Pius filly, which carries the colours of Galway man Paddy Sweeney, was recording her second win in three days, having scored at Sligo on Tuesday, but is entered for the Newmarket Sales next Tuesday. And the decision must be made, whether to sell or not.
Miss Faustina, which raced keenly throughout and did well to last home under Danny Grant, is trained by Pat Flynn.
“He was a maiden-winner waiting to happen and has been hanging around for three years,” commented Jessica Harrington after saddling Dreamy Gent to record a facile, five lengths victory in the concluding Clonskeagh Amateur Race.
She added: “He was two years in the wilderness but, at last, he got his ground. Nina (Carberry) tells me it’s the first winner she has ridden for me. And, if the ground is fast, he’ll probably go to Killarney and then Galway.”
Having tracked leader Huckle Buck Shoe from the start, Dreamy Gent, which has performed over hurdles and fences in recent season, asserted early in the straight before stretching clear to score impressively.
