Dundalk specialist Banna Boirche too strong for Dahindar
Ridden by Shane Foley, the Paul Rooney-owned four-year-old, tracked the leaders along the inside rail and, squeezing through to challenge early inside the final furlong, picked up well to beat Dahindar.
This was Banna Boirche’s fifth course win and delighted Michael Halford quipped: “Shane is so cool and always keeps his head. I’m just delighted he came down the outside, as we discussed before the race!”
Halford added: “Banna Boirche loves it around here and has to come from off the pace. And, with a horse like him, some nights it works out and some nights it doesn’t. He’s a smashing horse and is on a waiting list to go to the Dubai Carnival. We’re bringing Invincible Ash and Hujaylea. And, I this win will help this fellow’s case.”
In contrast Shane Foley delivered his challenge on the wide outside when completing a double on 25/1 shot Solo Performer in the Crowne Plaza Championship Handicap, getting the better of a duel with the well-backed, Tony Martin-trained Redera.
Solo Performer’s trainer Harry Rogers said: “It’s great to win a second race with him. He needs to come from off the pace in a fast-run race, which he doesn’t get very often here. But things worked out for him tonight. And Shane gave him a very good ride. There’s another race here for him on the last day of the season (December 10) and he’ll probably come back for that.”
Always a force here, Ger Lyons saddled the Hurricane Run filly Future Generation to foil the consistent Flic Flac in the six-furlong two-year-old maiden, with the winner’s stable-companion Girl Guide third.
Lyons commented: “It’s great for the lads who own her (the Viking Syndicate). They all work in Ennistown Stud. And this win is special for them because they nursed and cuddled this filly back to health after she broke her nose as a yearling.”
“She’s a fine, big filly, a nice prospect for next season. Keagan (Latham) was strong on her and she’ll appreciate middle distances next year. The third filly ran well and, hopefully, we might win with her over the next week.”
Wayne Lordan was delighted after the Tommy Stack-trained debutant Mutahadee sprang a 20/1 shock in the opening one-mile juvenile maiden.
He said: “He travelled well and picked up to win the way he’s been working at home.”
The son of Encosta De Lago showed brief signs of inexperience when asked to challenge before drawing clear to beat favourite Asheerah by two lengths.
Lordan added: “He’s very laid-back at home and I was worried that he’d be too green on his first day out. But he’s useful and should make a very nice colt next year.”
Willie Mullins was on the mark when Dazzle Dancer landed the Christmas Parties Apprentice Handicap in the hands of stable apprentice Eddie Linehan.
Mullins was not present. But Paul Starr, representing the filly’s owners, the Ballylinch Stud, explained: “It’s great that she’s won at last, but it’s been a long wait with her. She’s a well-bred filly. And I’d say this was her swansong. I expect her to be retained as a broodmare at Ballylinch.”
Trainer Gavin Cromwell, honeymooning in America, missed seeing seven-year-old Five Two record his second win for the stable when getting up on the line to pip favourite Sports Casual in the first division of the dundalkstadium.com Handicap.
The 16/1 shot, previously successful for Tony Martin, stayed on stoutly under strong driving from Seamus Heffernan for a last-gasp victory.
“He’s tough and kept going for me. He finished fast. And I thought we’d just about got up,’’ Heffernan said.
In the second division, Harry Days, having his first run since the sudden death of his former trainer Pat Lally, gave Navan-based handler Pat Allen his first success of the season, scoring under Martin Harley at the expense of Rock On Ciara.
“I have to thank the Kiernan family for sending him to me,” commented a relieved Allen, after the ninth win of his career, “He did it nicely and might come back here before the end of the season.”
Out of luck earlier with Denny Crane, Eddie Lynam, won the finale, the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Maiden with well-backed Hawk Wing gelding Westtower Boy.
Supported from 12/1 to 8/1, Westtower Boy came through under a confident ride by Billy Lee to wear down favourite Louisville Lip, on which Joseph O’Brien had kicked on at halfway.
