Ted Veale bounces back from Galway Hurdle disappointment
Under an ultra-cool ride by Steven Clements, John Breslin’s six-year-old made it three wins from four outings on the flat, tracking the leaders before pouncing late between Alhellal and Que Pasa to triumph by three-quarters of a length and a neck.
Trainer Martin commented: “He got bogged down in the ground in Galway, but was good tonight. He seems to be improving and we have lots of options for him. including the Irish Cesarewitch. I think he’ll make a smashing chaser, so he could jump a fence fairly soon.”
Curragh trainer Patrick Prendergast took the training honours, registering a welcome double with well-backed fillies Ravello Again and Candy Apples.
Runner-up in her three previous starts and backed into 11/8 favouritism, Candy Apples opened her account when getting the better of Ealain Aibrean and top-weight Sign From heaven in the five-furlong Glebe House Stud Nursery, giving local apprentice Colin Keane his sixteenth success of the season.
“She had been running well and deserved that,” said Prendergast. “I was a bit worried about the five furlongs but Colin was very clever on her and never gave up the rail. She’s in the five-furlong listed race at the Curragh on Saturday (the Irish Filed Curragh Stakes) and we’ll see how she is on Friday morning before making a decision. We’re keen to get black type for her.”
The Prendergast double was initiated when morning gamble Ravello Again, very unlucky in a Galway handicap last time, captured the Sean Rothwell Construction Maiden under Declan McDonogh, with three-quarters of a length to spare over Conversational.
Prendergast said of the 5/2 favourite: “She’s tries hard and might be capable of winning a little handicap. She should have won in Galway — she was almost knocked down and I’m delighted to have a winner for Ballylinch Stud.”
On a good night for favourite-backers, the Michael Halford-trained Bleeding Hearts, in the familiar Gigginstown colours, got punters off to a flier when romping to a convincing five-and-a-half lengths win in the opening two-year-old auction maiden.
The Shane Foley-ridden 8/11 shot made virtually all, to the satisfaction of his trainer: “He was entitled to win like that. He’s tough and stays a mile well. We’ll probably look for a nursery for him now.”
