Loch Garman does the business
The Teofilo colt, ridden by Kevin Manning, overturned the Aidan O’Brien-trained odds-on favourite Indian Chief in convincing style after Joseph O’Brien had loomed up, apparently travelling well on the favourite at the two-furlong-pole before failing to match the winner’s pace and resolve, in a race confined to newcomers.”
Manning described the winner as “a lovely big horse that will make a lovely three-year-old” while Bolger’s representative Ger Flynn was also impressed.
“He’s a late-maturing horse. But some of the lads at home have always believed he was a good horse,’’ Flynn said.
“Kevin liked the way he did it, the way he quickened in the dip, in that ground. He looks an exciting horse for next year.”
The Bolger/Manning combination was expected to complete a juvenile double with 1/3 shot Morga in the Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction 2-Y-0 Maiden. But the daughter of Whipper was pipped by the Joanna Morgan-trained Roca Tumu, ridden by Billy Lee.
The favourite made the running, was headed approaching the furlong-pole by the winner before rallying and failing by just a short-head to get back up.
Winning trainer Morgan said: “He’s a very good horse and could be anything on fast ground next year. He had a dirt nose a few weeks ago and missed some work. And I didn’t want to run him in that heavy ground. But the owners insisted, and it worked out.”
Wayne Lordan brought his seasonal tally to 64 thanks to a handicap double on Lake Louise and Valbucca.
Trained near Mitchelstown by Danny O’Sullivan, Lake Louise defied a 7lb rise for a recent win at the Curragh and the step-up to a mile, when landing the nursery in gutsy fashion from Cool Metallic, scoring by a length and three-quarters.
O’Sullivan said: “She’s very tough and very honest. She was weak and light early in the season, so we gave her a break. She strengthened up well and is taking her race well.’’
Lordan completed his double when the Willie McCreery-trained Valbucca opened her account, at the 18th attempt, in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Handicap, stretching clear inside the final furlong to beat Jeremy’s Girl by almost three lengths.
“She’s an honest little filly and loves that ground,” commented McCreery.
“Her owners have been very loyal to me. This filly was bought as a companion for Kanes Pass and, now, they’ve both won for us.”
John Joe Walsh saddled the Ben Curtis-ridden Jackemil to land the www.toteracingclub.com Handicap.
“She was unlucky in Gowran the last day — she didn’t get a clear run and the ground was a bit fast for her,’’ Walsh said. “She loves the mud and deserves a break. And we might school her over hurdles.”
Walsh looked sure to complete a double when 9/4 favourite The Four Elms went to the front in the finale, the Tote Return All Profits To Irish Racing Handicap. But Chris Hayes’s mount was unable to contain the gritty fightback of Face Value, ridden by Ian Brennan, who carried 1lb overweight and picked-up a one-day whip ban.
Winning trainer Ado McGuinness said: “He’s an out and out stayer, a real grinder. And, even when he was headed, I knew he’d fight back. He’s a first winner here for local owner Sean Gallagher. And we have a few options with him — he might go to Cheltenham for a novice hurdle in a few weeks, or we could have a go at the Leopardstown November Handicap.”
Leigh Roche notched his 17th success of the season when partnering 16/1 shot Storm Lightning, trained by his boss Dermot Weld and entered for the Horses-in-Training Sale in Newmarket next week, to a one-length victory over top-weight Possible in the five-furlong Tote Pick Six Apprentice Handicap.
