Bahrain Stormon course for Galway Plate
Davy Russell tried to steal it from the front aboard Echo Bob and the tactics appeared to have a good chance of succeeding coming away from the second last.
But Casey conjured a real tune from the game Bahrain Storm, who joined issue over the final fence and then forged clear on the flat to score by three and a half lengths.
“He is a lamb of a horse at home, you have to wake him up before a race and then just goes out and does it”, reported trainer, Pat Flynn.
“The plan now is to go for the Galway Plate (allocated 9-10) and he could be in the first three. I know he hasn’t much experience over fences, but is a brave and good jumper and entitled to run.”
The Andrew Oliver trained Negotiate put up a fine display to defy 9-8 in the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap.
Strongly handled by Fran Berry, he powered into the lead over a furlong down to beat Gentleman Duke by two lengths.
Oliver, who trains a long way away in Tyrone, said: “We have always thought a lot of her and she seems to be improving.
“Fran gave her a lovely ride and she will probably go for another handicap, depending on what the handicapper does.”
Aidan O’Brien’s once-raced Plutorius, who didn’t enjoy much luck in running on his debut at Down Royal, made no mistake in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
The Holy Roman Emperor colt ran near the front throughout and was much too strong for uneasy favourite, Alkazim, in the straight.
The winner was partnered by Joseph O’Brien, who remarked: “The track is beautiful, a credit to Killarney.”
Colm O’Donoghue drove David Marnane’s Aragorn Icon ahead at the furlong pole to beat top weight, Blackwitch Woman, by three parts of a length in the John Buckley Auctioneers’ Handicap.
Said Marnane: “I was disappointed the handicapper put him up 9lbs (for winning at Tipperary), but as usual he was right.
“Hopefully, he won’t go up too much for this and we might find something for him at Galway.”
John Murphy added to his fine record at the track when King’s Road landed the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap at 12-1.
Partnered by the talented Ben Curtis, the winner forged on early in the straight to easily beat Sun Disc.
Murphy was represented by Eamon O’Donabhain, who reported: “We quietly fancied him and knew he’d stay the mile and three. Ben gave him a great ride and we will now look for something similar.”
Henry de Bromhead, who has his team in terrific shape, was on the mark again when Sizing Symphony ran his rivals ragged in the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park/Killarney Racegoers’ Club Maiden Hurdle.
He made every yard of the running, in the hands of Davy Russell, to beat the running on Rheinland by 11 lengths.
“Before Christmas, I thought he was a real good horse”, commented de Bromhead. “He will run through the summer and the plan would then be Cheltenham in the autumn.”
In the Bumper Willie Mullins’ Laganbank, ridden by Katie Walsh, quickened nicely through the final furlong to outspeed his brother Tony’s front-running, Ahyaknowyerself.
