Carberry cajoles a win out of Save My Blushes
The well-backed four-year-old, backed from 12/1 to 7/1, appeared to be flat to the boards at all stages of the two-mile contest and, cajoled along by Carberry, he gradually closed on the leaders before wearing down front-running Echo Bob in the last hundred yards, scoring by a half-length from Andrew Lynch’s gallant mount.
Delighted trainer Flynn, who trains Save My Blushes for his wife Claire Howes, declared: “Paul was unbelievable on him. He’s not an easy ride and, quite honestly, I thought he’d be pulled up at one stage.
“It’s a great touch to get with a horse that’s for sale. He’s entered in the Brightwells Sale next month but, if anybody wants him before then, we’ll be happy to accommodate them – it would save me the trip over.”
Carberry was bidding for a double when partnering uneasy favourite Dark Prospect in the All Creatures Veterinary Novice Hurdle.
But, having held up Noel Meade’s Galway winner well off the pace, he had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Steeltown.
Ridden by Barry Geraghty, Steeltown jumped past front-running gamble Regal D’Estruval (10/1 – 4/1) at the third last flight and stayed on stoutly for a convincing five and a half lengths win over the favourite, after the challenging Lizzie Bennett (eventual third) blundered badly and almost unseated Barry Cash at the final flight.
A strapping five-year-old son of Craigsteel, Steeltown delighted trainer Tom Taaffe, who confirmed: “Chasing will be his forte but he needs some more racing experience. He travelled well on the ground and won well. The fast pace suited him and he’ll go further in time.”
Andrew McNamara, leading the jump jockeys championship race, recorded his thirty-third win of the season when former hunter-chaser Having A Cut proved best in the Kiltoom Handicap Chase, jumping into the lead at the second last before holding the late surge of top-weight Duers by a half-length.
Having A Cut is trained by Edward O’Grady for J P McManus and the successful trainer commented: “The flat rack helped him today, because he didn’t get home at Galway the last day. It’s a tonic for J P after Money Belt had to be put down after sustaining an injury in Clonmel yesterday. We’ll try to find another similar handicap for this horse.”
Seamus Roche, who is based in Hugginstown, County Kilkenny, saddled his first winner on the track in almost three years when Tough Talkin Man foiled Pop’s Rocket and odds-on favourite Start Me Up in the finale, the Four Roads Maiden Hurdle.
