Sherchanceit runs her rivals ragged
Confidently handled by a very much in-form Andrew McNamara, the daughter of Norwich made every yard of the running.
Total Excitement ranged up as a possible danger in the straight, but doesn’t always find a whole lot off the bridle and Sherchanceit had no trouble shrugging off his challenge.
Commented O’Connor: “Andrew asked if he could make the running and we said yes. She can be difficult and relaxes better in front.
“We were worried about the ground and are hoping she will now go to Galway for another handicap on Plate day.”
For McNamara it was a 24th success of the season and he is the clear leader in the jockeys’ championship, ten in front of Paul Carberry. Unfortunately, however, he begins a five-day suspension next Sunday.
The Terence O’Brien trained Ballyadam Brook followed up his success at Sligo in the middle of May with an impressive display of front-running in the John O’Connell Memorial Novice Hurdle.
Paul Townend set a spanking gallop on the winner and it found out market rival Rayhani, probably not in love with the ground anyway, a fair way from home.
Hasaratan tried to close, but Ballyadam Brook maintained a relentless gallop, crossing the line four lengths to the good.
“He was knocked out for three weeks after Sligo and only did his first bit of work two weeks ago”, revealed O’Brien.
“Paul said he took a bit of blow going to the second last. He will probably head to Galway now for a two and a half mile novice hurdle.”
The stewards inquired into the display of the Tony Martin-trained Redera in this contest.
They noted the explantions offered by Martin, but pilot, Robbie Dunne, was found guilty of insufficient effort, suspended for five days and ordered to forfeit his riding fee.
De Senectute, with a theoretical 15lbs in hand, went off at 1-2 in the Killarney Grand Live Music Venue Handicap Hurdle.
She came to win her race going to the final flight, but blundered badly at the obstacle and was immediately beaten.
Zhdanovichy was left in front, but Charles Byrnes’ Jack Cool, partnered by Brian Byrnes, finished with a real rattle to get up close home.
Commented trainer-Byrnes: “The owner (Philip McGee, based in England) backed it this morning at 16-1.
“He had form in the soft on the flat and that was always going to be a help. The owner will be in Galway for the second half of the week and he will run then, maybe on the flat.”
Hildor, following a number of near misses, finally made no mistake with an emphatic win in the Dawn Omega Milk Maiden.
Billy Lee took no prisoners and committed the daughter of Pivotal with over three furlongs to go. Dazzle Dancer tried to close her down, but was always fighting a losing battle.
Trainer, Joe Murphy said: “She’s a bridesmaid no more. This is a very genuine filly, who will probably now go to Galway.”
Pat Flynn’s Edmondstown Lass held on for dear life to hold the flying late surge of Headford Lady by a short head in the Dawn Flavoured Milk Handicap.
“She’s a lovely filly and has to get stronger, which she will do”, remarked Flynn. Favourite, Rolling Steel, stood in the stalls and took no part.
Sean Levey put up a pound overweight aboard Lus Na Hoiche in the Europe Hotel and Resort Handicap, but it made no difference.
The Sharon Dunphy trained mare surged ahead two and a half furlongs down and was kept going in fine style by Levey to hold Torina. Dunphy is based in a rented yard outside Carrick-On-Suir.
The Bumper went to easy-to-back Willie Mullins trained Laganbank, who beat his brother Tony’s Maddoxtown with plenty in hand.
