Wellforth tops in ‘Grade 3’
In a desperately modest four-runner affair victory went to Wellforth, after the contest was handed to him by market-leader, Give Us A Hand.
The favourite was in front at the third last, when making the most minor of errors. His rider, Adam O’Neill, however, could not keep the partnership intact and was unseated.
Barry Cash then drove Wellforth ahead between the last two fences to beat the Oliver Brady pair, Saddler’s Native and Duroob.
Wellforth is trained in Galway by Paul Gilligan, who enjoyed his greatest day when Berties Dream won the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2010.
Said Gilligan: “It wasn’t a great race, but it is grand to win. I’m delighted for Barry, he has been a massive help to us and that’s his first for me.
“Our horses have been sick for a year and a half and we lost a lot of them as a result. Maybe, this will start to turn it for us.”
Wexford trainer, Roy Tector, had his first winner on the track when Millieann popped up at 20-1 in the Summer BBQ July 13th Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
“I have only two horses and I’m from Clonrochere, where Mr A P O’Brien came from”, related a delighted Tector.
Adrian Heskin allowed the winner to lead coming away from four out and she powered up the straight to beat Via Del Corso with plenty in hand.
Tector has held a licence for some 12 months and has three successes in the point-to-point fields to his credit.
Gordon Elliott’s Discoteca, despite some indifferent jumping, easily justified favouritism in the Father’s Day Racing June 17th Maiden Hurdle.
He was certainly none too clever over the final three flights, but only had to be pushed out on the flat to beat a game, and always prominent, Bulgaden, by just under three lengths.
Elliott wasn’t at the meeting, but the winner will surely more than pay his way for the summer, although a dramatic improvement in technique will be necessary.
Doctor Henry, partnered by Patrick Mangan for Kieran Purcell, ran away with the mallow.ie Handicap Hurdle.
Allowed to stride on approaching the home turn, he scampered clear up the straight to beat Sir Loujay by five and a half lengths.
It was a first venture into handicap company for the Dr Massini gelding, whose three previous outings over flights were in maidens. In those contests, he was beaten 46 lengths, 39 lengths and 45 lengths.
Satu was 20-1 in the Munster Waste Management Handicap Hurdle, but won like an odds-on shot.
Eoin Doyle’s charge was in front two from home and quickly strode clear for Michael Butler to beat Isobella Blue with lots in hand.
J P McManus, on the mark with a couple at Fairyhouse, also had his colours carried to victory by Carrigmartin in the Friday Evening Racing At Cork Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
Persian Gayle fell when holding a marginal advantage at the third last, leaving the winner in front.
He’llberemembered, nibbled at in the market from 16-1 to 12’s, finished with a flourish, but Niall Madden kept Carrigmartin going long enough to score by a nose.
Pires, a horse with loads of ability condescended to put his best foot forward when landing the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase. Mistakes by Rayhani over the last two fences were crucial and they took their toll, as Pires quickened past on the run in for Martin Mooney.
Champagne Agent, who had been disappointing in testing conditions, got his act together in the Bumper. Given a powerful drive by Patrick Mullins, Champagne Agent got the best of a sustained tussle with Realt Den Cathair and then held the late rush of Busty Brown.
