Weld’s Kitten purring in maiden
Oh What A Kitten, an American-bred filly trained by Smullen’s boss Dermot Weld for Kenneth Ramsey, showed admirable battling qualities to see off Jouster by a half-length in the one-mile median auction maiden.
Smullen commented: “I was well drawn and had to have this filly close to the pace. Ideally, she needs further but the rail helped coming down the hill and she battled well.”
The Harry Rogers-trained Elusive Ridge completed Smullen’s double in the Glebe House Stud Handicap, the five-year-old gelding scraping home by a short-head from Solent Ridge
A delighted Rogers commented: “It’s great to win another with this fellow, particularly over this trip - he’s tough and stays well. Pat made his move at the right time and he stayed going well. I entered him for a similar handicap in Gowran on Friday and, if he’s okay, he’ll probably go there.”
It has been a week to remember for Shane Foley, who lost his claim when recording a double at Fairyhouse and brought his tally to five winners in as many days when Maal edged out Port Elizabeth and favourite Full Title in the opening claimer.
The success was even sweeter for ‘Dusty’ as it was his first ride as a fully-fledged, senior jockey, without a claim. He said: “It’s always tough after losing your claim, but that’s a great start. David (trainer David Marnane) was afraid the trip might be a bit short for him around here. But he travelled well and kept going. He’s a much better horse when he settles.”
Both divisions of the Castleview Homes Handicap were won by favourites, the Christy Roche-trained Green To Gold, which has been running over fences in recent weeks, landing a tidy on-course gamble (7/2 to 2/1) in the second division.
Ridden by Fran Berry, the grey Daylami gelding stretched clear to slam Cinderella Story by eight lengths, with original favourite Strain Of Fame third.
Padraig Roche, representing his trainer-father, said: “He won well and will tip away for the summer - he’ll probably mix it, between flat. hurdles and fences.”
Half an hour earlier, in-form Niall McCullagh delivered the apparently quirky Action Master with a perfectly-timed late challenge to pip Brog An Ri in the first division, getting up o the line to score by the minimum margin.
Galway-bound Action Master is trained by Dessie Hughes, who commented: “It’s great that he got his head in front at last. Niall was very good on him, because he has to be produced late. This was an ideal race for him - a handicap for maidens.
“His next run will probably be in the Galway Hurdle and, if he gets the splits at the right time, he should have a chance.”
Bellewstown is always a track where local trainers shine and Noel Meade continued his rich vein of form when Tom Horn, ridden by Paul Carberry, made all to complete a hat-trick over hurdles and justify odds-on favouritism in the Nordman Portable Stables Hurdle.
Successful over three miles at Kilbeggan last time, Tom Horn dictated the pace throughout and stayed on to keep chief rival Inspector Clouseau at bay by a length, prompting Carberry to explain: “I knew how well he stays and expected Ruby to wait and try to beat us for speed. So I let him roll along and he kept going well. He stays and loves that summer ground.”
Ruby Walsh, rider of Inspector Clouseau, had earlier enjoyed a poignant success when Corrick Bridge, trained by Tony Martin, landed the Bellewstown Golfcourse Handicap Hurdle.
Corrick Bridge, which outpointed Carutomark here, is the horse whose fall at Down Royal last November left Walsh with broken leg, which kept him side-lined until shortly before Cheltenham, a point not missed by trainer Martin. “It was Ruby’s choice to ride Corrick Bridge and not Another Ambition (which finished fourth). Fair play to him after what happened in Down Royal.”
