Flynn and Grant in fine form ahead of Galway
Final Flashback, a Moyglare-bred which won his maiden in Galway for Dermot Weld, was recording his eighth win for Flynn in the Slaney Handicap, making virtually all and responding to Grant’s urgings to keep Benefit Of Porter, unlucky in running, by a neck.
“I’m surprised - I thought he was a bit short and would need it,” said Flynn. “Danny said he blew up, but kept going. The plan was to go to Tramore, for a 47-75 handicap, but he won’t get into it.”
The Flynn/Grant double was completed in a dramatic Belmont Handicap, in which favourite The Reek (ridden by Pat Smullen, successful later on Deutschland) collided with the rail on the home-turn, lost her action and almost fell. Her predicament caused a chain reaction behind which saw five horses crash. Happily all horses and riders emerged unscathed.
Al Mancillia, described by Flynn as “a nice little filly that needs fast ground,” prevailed by a neck over Bangalore Prince in a four-way blanket-finish and might now head for Galway.
Cabin, runner-up to Epsom Oaks heroine Was on her debut at the Curragh last year, but off the track since September, earned a valuable bracket when winning the fillies maiden for Aidan O’Brien and Seamus Heffernan.
First season trainer Pat Shanahan saddled his third winner when Lady Jock (Colm O’Donoghue) recorded a facile win in the Enniscorthy Handicap, prompting the trainer to admit: “That didn’t surprise me. She was second in a Curragh maiden and was running off 69.”
Out of luck with his runners in Down Royal, Tommy Carmody was on the mark with the Ben Curtis-ridden All That Rules in the Clonard Maiden.
Meanwhile, Carmody’s landlord - Johnny Murtagh - partnered hot-pot Sindjara, trained by John Oxx for the Aga Khan, to victory in the fillies handicap at the northern venue.
Oxx explained: “I’ve been waiting for suitable ground to run her since the Guineas meeting. She’s progressive and plans for her are ground dependent. But she could go for the Connacht Oaks in Sligo in two weeks, a race I won last year.”
With former champion Pat Smullen on the mark on Deutschland in Wexford, Joseph O’Brien maintained his lead in the title-race when giving favourite Chicago a confident ride to foil Amira’s Prince in her Majesty’s Plate, the teenager’s first winner at Down Royal.
