‘Slippers’ boots home another double
The Edward O’Grady trained 20/1 shot Definite Ridge, blinkered for the first time, proved a convincing winner of the Boy Named Sue Raceday Maiden Hurdle, in which odds-on favourite Bondage flopped.
O’Grady admitted: “I always though he had ability, but it’s all about producing it on the track. The blinkers seemed to improve him and I was expecting him to run well, although I intended running him in the next, the handicap, but his owner (Donal O’Connor) had another horse for it.”
Madden’s double was completed when Namarama, trained by John Queally for the Aintree Boys Syndiacte, slammed top-weight High Talk by 16 lengths in the Keeping It Country Handicap Hurdle
Gold Ability, successful in a maiden hurdle at the Galway Festival last week, followed-up and reversed earlier course and distance form with Zerashan when scoring a convincing win under Robbie Colgan in the Winner Alright Hurdle.
The Old Vic gelding triumphed by four and a half lengths, delighting his trainer Michael O’Hare, who said: “This horse keeps improving with every run. He’s a bleeder, but we seem to have it under control. He settled and jumped lovely today and was very professional in doing his job. I’m not sure where he’ll go now.”
Andrew Leigh picked-up a two-day careless riding ban following his win on the Jessica Harrington-trained Celtic Cailin in the opening Johnny Cash Tribute Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The even-money favourite prevailed by a head over Hepahepa Naeney with Cool Annie, chief sufferer in the scrimmage on the run-in, third.
In a subsequent enquiry, the Stewards believed that Celtic Cailin had not improved her position and, although banning Leigh, allowed the result to stand.
County Derry-based trainer Noel Kelly commented: “He’s a lucky wee horse and we got a few quid on him at nice prices this morning,” after Banellie, ridden by Derek Fox, had won the Rosebank Handicap Hurdle at the expense of to-weight I Hear A Symphony.
The Mags Mullins trained Return Spring, which made a promising debut at Punchestown before flopping at Clonmel last time, bolted up in the bumper, Declan Lavery’s mount stretching clear of odds-on favourite Dubh Go Leir on the final climb to triumph by five lengths.
