Toccata Blue displays admirable battling qualities
Under ideal conditions — seven furlongs on fast ground — the tough, pint-sized Toccata Blue displayed admirable battling qualities under a five-star ride by Keane to land the featured Best Of Luck Kilkenny Hurlers Handicap by a half-length from In Salutem in a blanket-finish.
“I don’t think anybody could begrudge the little horse a win like that,” commented Lyons. “Colin gave him a super ride. He said they went mad in front, he took his time but, when he got there, the little horse was very brave.”
The Lyons/Keane double, which brings the star apprentice’s seasonal tally to an impressive 23 winners, was initiated when the once-raced Oasis Dream filly Adroit justified 7/4 favouritism in the opening Family Fun Day Fillies Maiden.
Adroit stepped forward from her debut second at Fairyhouse to beat Calorie by a length and three-quarters, promoting Lyons to explain: “She’s a lovely, well-bred filly and it was important to win with her. It would be lovely to get some black type, and this is the first step on the road.”
After watching the Sheikh Mohammed-owned gelding Leafcutter land the seven-furlong Gowran Park Racing Club Maiden in good style, Dermot Weld commented: “He’s a good-looking, solid horse, with a nice bit of ability. He quickened up nicely and won well. He loves that fast ground. Next stop for him will be the Newmarket July Sales.”
Leafcutter, having his first run of the season, challenged on the inside and picked up well for Pat Smullen to beat promising debutant Feach Ar Agaidh by two and a half lengths.
Former champion Smullen completed a double when giving Misty Lane an enterprising ride to land the Gowran Park Golf Club Societies Handicap, poaching a clear lead turning for home before holding favourite Naoise (Kevin Manning) by a half-length.
Misty Lane was Smullen’s second winner in eight days for owner-trainer Reggie Roberts, from Rathangan, County Kildare, successful with Timeless Call at listed level in Cork last Sunday.
Kevin Manning and Jim Bolger enjoyed better luck in the five-runner Sweet Sunday Handicap when Teoleena, a daughter of Teofilo, opened her account in convincing style, stretching clear to beat favourite Port Merrion by four and a quarter lengths.
Red Rocks Point, winner of his only previous start at Dundalk last September, and Aidan O’Brien’s only runner of the day made all to turn over the Dermot Weld-trained odds-on favourite Ebeyina in the concluding conditions event.
Virtually friendless in the market and sent off 4/1 outsider of the three runners, the Fastnet Rock colt stayed on dourly to score by a length and a quarter under Colm O’Donohgue (deputising for the suspended Joseph O’Brien).
O’Donoghue said: “He loved the fast ground and is a tough and hardy horse. The boss said he’d be hard to beat and he stepped-up on his maiden win. He’s still a bit raw, so there should be plenty of improvement in him.”
Trainer Mick Mulvany savoured a welcome success when Tom Dooley, last turning for home and switched to the wide outside by Declan McDonogh, swooped late to thwart Focas Mor in the BBQ Evening At Gowran Park Handicap.
“He’s a bit quirky and we’re learning how to ride him,” said the winning trainer. “Declan felt he went too early last week. He gave him a lot to do today, but it was a great ride. He could go to Bellewstown (a mile) or wait for a seven-furlong handicap in Galway.”
nDanny Grant was suspended for two-days for careless riding on Measured Approval in the handicap won by Tom Dooley.
