Rose blooms after slow start
Declan McDonogh, in treble form at Tipperary on Saturday, had to bide his time on the Kevin Prendergast trained Danehill Dancer filly after missing the break. But he produced the 11/4 favourite with a perfectly-timed challenge to lead close home and triumph by a half-length from Katla with Rock Jock a similar distance away third.
The winning trainer was not present but McDonogh enthused: “She’s a lovely filly but, for some reason, she missed the kick today. She got a bit bustled about and I had to be patient. They went fast and, luckily, the splits came at the right time. She picked up well when she saw daylight and I always felt she’d get there.”
Now a winner of two listed events, Rose Bonheur will be aimed at a similar contest in Naas on July 20.
Rose Bonheur was the second leg of a double for Kevin Prendergast and owner Lady O’Reilly, initiated when Bahama Spirit made all to win the two-year-old maiden from Captain Cullen.
A daughter of Invincible Spirit, Bahama Spirit stepped-up significantly on her recent run at Bellwstown to give apprentice Samantha Bell her fourth career win. Bell commented: “She jumped well, loved the ground and I felt she was always in command.”
David Marnane nominated the valuable seven-furlong handicap on the Saturday of the Galway Festival as Jamesie’s next target following his win over Dotada in the Family Funday Handicap.
Ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, Jamesie burst through to take command inside the final furlong, prompting Marnane to comment: “He’s a good little horse. He’s settling better and should stay seven furlongs so he’ll probably go for a valuable seven-furlong handicap on the Saturday of Galway.”
Also Galway-bound, where he’ll have a choice of engagements is the Sabrina Harty-trained Kalann, which won the finale, the 5euro Summer Admission At Fairyhouse Handicap, under Gary Carroll.
“We gave him a break after Punchestown and this was a prep run for Galway,” explained the successful trainer.
The four-year-old filly Gonebeyondthemoon, by Danehill Dancer, earned a valuable winning bracket when taking the opening jogforjockeys.ie Maiden, beating Diamond Daze by two lengths.
The winner is trained by David Wachman and was another winner for in-form Wayne Lordan, who said: “She appreciated that quick ground and travelled well all the way before picking up nicely and finishing strongly. It’s great to win with her. The boss will probably try to get some black type for her.”
Trainer John Geoghegan described Prince Of Fashion as “a bit of an eejit” after he swooped late under Fran Berry to foil Umindme in the Children Under 16 Are Free Handicap.
Geoghegan added: “He’s a funny horse. He works well at home but, in his races, he’s on and off the bridle. He finished strongly today and I’d say the tongue-strap helped him.”
Andy Oliver saddled Flowers Of Spring to win the Value Packages At Fairyhouse Race, Kevin Manning’s mount holding the late surge of useful dual bumper-winner Steps To Freedom.
“I was a bit worried about the ground, but she did it well,” commented Oliver. “We’ll have a look at some of the premier handicaps for her and she could run in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh next Sunday.”
