Whelan finishes season in style
Whelan has proven himself an outstanding prospect over recent months and savoured his double, highlighted by his first stakes-race success on Lady Wngshot, and the occasion as he brought his seasonal tally to an impressive 31 on the two Coolcullen fillies, both emphatic winners.
Already successful at listed and Group 3 level this season Lady Wingshot, in the colours of Ballylinch Stud, outclassed her rivals in the listed Knockaire Stakes, stretching clear in the final furlong to slam Ondeafears by four lengths.
Bolger commented: “She’s a nice filly, going the right way, and likes a little ease in the ground,” while neither he nor Ballylinch representative Paul Starr was clear about whether Lady Wingshot would stay in training next season. Starr explained: “It will be debated over the next few weeks , before a decision is made.”
Earlier Bunairgead, a daughter of New Approach, made it third-time-lucky when proving an emphatic winner of the two-year-old fillies maiden, beating Davanti by three lengths, and initiating the Whelan double and the Bolger treble.
“She’s a nice filly and will stay further,” said Bolger, “She might come back here for a Guineas trial in the spring.”
Rory Cleary, another important part of the Coolcullen operation, was on board Miracle Cure, which justified strong support, both in the morning and on-track, in the Book Tickets On Line Handicap.
Unlucky on this track last time, the son of Whipper travelled strongly throughout before beating One Fine Day readily. Bolger, while suggesting that the three-year-old was “available” indicated that he would stay in training next year.
Off the track since winning a nursery in Tipperary in August, Sugar Boy romped to a convincing win in the listed Eyrefield Stakes over nine furlongs, stretching clear to beat Coolibah by six and a half lengths.
The Chris Hayes-ridden winner is trained by Patrick Prendergast, who enthused: “He’s as tough as nails and a relentless galloper.
“Before the Silken Glider I thought Seolan worked badly, but she just couldn’t get past this fellow. He’s a smart horse and, the more I throw at him, the more he comes back at me.
“He’s entered for the Derby (Stan James make him a 33/1 shot) and will start next season in one of the Derby trials. He can go on any ground but, because he’s such a galloper, soft ground helps him. But, over a mile and a half, it won’t be such an issue. Chris gave him a clever ride, staying wide all the way.”
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Foundry, another strapping Galileo colt, created a good impression when bolting-up by five and a half lengths in the two-year-old colts maiden, earning a 20/1 quote from Stan James for next year’s Investec Derby.
“You couldn’t ask him to be more impressive,” stated Heffernan on his return, “But it was a backend maiden and I don’t know how strong it was. That said, hopefully, this colt is one of the better ones.”
British raider Albert Bridge started favourite for the season finale, the Leopardstown November Handicap, but failed to get to grips with gutsy front-runner Face Value, which followed-up a similarly tenacious recent win at Navan for apprentice Ian Brennan and trainer Ado McGuinness.
Having set a strong pace, the four-year-old gelding looked set to be swallowed-up by a wall of horse in the straight, was headed by the favourite before responding to Brennan’s driving and getting back up to score by a neck.
“He loves it and is so tough,” said a delighted McGuinness. “There should be a good handicap hurdle in him somewhere.
“I was looking at a race in Cheltenham, or there’s a four-year-old only in Haydock. I must discuss plans with Sean (owner Sean Gallagher) — he’s point-to-pointing today.”
