Sicilian Secret set to embark on chasing career at Galway
Although attracting only four runners, the event generated plenty of activity in the betting ring, with the Davy Russell ridden Wexford winner Ninth Legion vying for favouritism with the winner.
In the race, Russell soon dictated the pace on Ninth Legion while Casey, partnering his fifth winner since his recent marriage, bided his time on the 6/4 favourite, improving to track the leader after the second last before easing into the lead turning for home.
Allowed stretch clear on the run-in Siciian Secret won, hard held, by five lengths to the delight of Casey, who commented: “He jumped super and was always tanking. He loves that ground - I’ve always maintained that it’s what he needs.”
Sicilian Secret has reportedly schooled over fences and is likely to embark on that phase of his career on the final day of next week’s Galway festival.
Davy Russell also came off second best on the Charles Byrnes trained In A Nutshell, outpointed by 14/1 shot Much Acclaimed (33/1 in places yesterday morning) in the opening Mayo News Maiden Hurdle.
Having come from well off the pace and run into traffic problems after the second last flight, Russell drove his mount through on the inside to challenge approaching the straight before switching him to challenge Much Acclaimed.
Together briefly on the run-in, Much Acclaimed, ridden by Paddy Mangan, looked the more tenacious and was in command when edging left close home, enough to spark a Stewards Enquiry but no alteration to the placings. Paddy Mangan was later severely cautioned for careless riding.
Much Acclaimed is trained by John Morrison and was bought out of Tom Tate’s yard in England for only £800 at the Doncaster Sales last November, as the trainer’s representative Darren Pratt confirmed: “He’s a nice horse, bought for handy money and will probably mix it. He might run on the flat in Galway next week.”
Morrison and Mangan struck again in the second division of the Beamish Raceday Handicap Hurdle when Ever Dreaming rallied on the run-in to foil the flattering Young Patriarch.
Pratt said: “She’s a mare that has had a few problems. She disappointed the last day, but that was her third run in a few weeks. She had the form to win in this grade and I expect her to go chasing sooner rather than later.”
It was a night to savour for Galway man Tony Kelly, son of trainer Pat, who registered the first double of his career, scoring on his father’s unconsidered 33/1 shot Major Harry in the Yolanda O’Gorman Memorial Handicap and following up on locally trained Bean Chroi Bhriste in the Jennings Meats Handicap Hurdle.
Kelly (22) was having his first ride at Ballinrobe when Major Harry held the late flourish of Spa Wells by a head, the rider’s seventh career success and his first, as a professional, in Ireland. At home for the summer, he’ll be returning to Ferdy Murphy’s in England after Galway.
The second leg of Kelly’s double was achieved on the consistent mare Bean Chroi Bhriste, a popular local winner for trainer Michael Flannery under a determined ride by Kelly.
Under strong driving from the second last, the Broken Hearted mare - reportedly in season - battled bravely to keep Tryptronic at bay by a length and a half, prompting Flannery to state: “It’s great to win with her here. I must thank Pat Martin who told me to run her, even though she was coming out of season. I knew she was in good form and she deserved a change of luck — she’s been a bit unlucky. Today was her day.”
Odds-on punters had to sweat before 4/7 shot Seader, trained by Jessica Harrington for John Wholey, finally came good in the Mayo Maiden Hurdle. Ridden by Barry Geraghty, the Mr Greeley gelding didn’t jump fluently and looked in trouble when hard-driven and chasing Minella King after the second last flight. But, approaching the straight, stamina became an issue and Seader joined Andrew Leigh’s mount at the last before asserting on the run-in to triumph by a length and a quarter.
In the absence of the winning trainer, Geraghty commented: “Everything was happening a bit too quick for him. The hurdles were coming at him too fast. He wants two and a half miles and is a grand staying chaser in the making. He’s a smashing sort. He did well to win over two miles around here.”
