Zanughan makes winning return
Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the Azamour colt came from well off the pace and stayed on strongly to beat Spin by two lengths, with Address Unknown and slow-starting favourite Steps To Freedom close up in third and fourth respectively. It was Oxx’s third win in the race in five years.
A relieved Oxx explained: “We thought a lot of him in the spring but things didn’t go according to plan. He had a little issue that had to be sorted out and he has come on well in recent weeks.
“Galway is such a testing track for a horse coming after a break. I didn’t know whether he was fit and hard enough. But he’s a talented horse. They went a fast pace, which suited horses coming from behind.
“I have no particular plan in mind and hadn’t looked beyond today. But the Finale Stakes (at the Curragh on October 9) is a possible next step for him.”
Aidan O'Brien completed a juvenile double with Requisition in the opening maiden and the progressive Wrote, which followed-up his narrow maiden win in Cork by defying top weight in the premier nursery.
Ridden by Moyglare hero Joseph O’Brien, Wrote tackled Greek Canyon and Tiffilia approaching the straight and, in front with more than a furlong to race, ran on strongly to beat Beau Amadeus by two lengths.
The winning rider, denied a double later when top-weight Lousiville Lip failed to cope with the late surge of Goldplated, well-ridden by Galway man Leigh Roche, in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, commented: “He’s a nice horse and is improving with every run. He travelled very well today and got to the front a bit soon. But he stays and won well.”
Seamus Heffernan stated: “His mother (Saoire) was a Guineas winner and his breeder, Joe Joyce, is here,” after Requisition opened his account in the opening Donnelly’s Of Barna 2-Y-0 Maiden.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Invincible Spirit colt, a bitterly disappointing favourite at Tipperary last time, stayed on stoutly in the final furlong to hold promising newcomer Fatcatinthehat by three-quarters of a length.
Six-year-old Royal Intruder, winner of a claimer in Sligo last time, got up close home to pip dead-heaters Topadee and Cairdiuil in the Paschal Corrigan Memorial Handicap, prompting trainer Shane Donohoe to comment: “Danny (Benson) was very good on him - I told him to come as late as he could. I only ran him to see if he'd get the mile. His win in Sligo gave him his confidence back, but I have no idea where we’ll go next with him.”
Ted Walsh saddled a rare flat winner when Rossvoss, making his seasonal debut under Billy Lee, got up close home to pip Smithfield in the concluding Renmore Maiden.
Recent Sligo winner Indian Landing defied a 12lb. hike in the ratings when justifying 5/2 favouritism in the seven-furlong James P Cunningham Handicap, providing a popular local success for owner Herb Stanley.
Indian Landing is trained by Tracy Collins, who commented: “I’m very pleased to have a winner for Mr.Stanley on his home turf. The horse got a peach of a ride from Ronan (Whelan), a very talented young rider, with a big future.”
