Grandduke lords it over rivals
The son of Galileo made his debut at the Curragh earlier in the month, finishing 11 lengths sixth behind the dead-heaters, Dalasiri and his stable companion, Gypsy King.
In third place then was Wrap Star, who was also in last night’s field. To say the placings were reversed would be a real understatement.
On this occasion, Granddukeoftuscany found massive improvement to score by 19 lengths and had Wrap Star no less than 24 lengths in arrears in fourth spot.
Joseph immediately allowed Granddukeoftuscany to bowl along and this was a simply a procession from a fair way out.
Said Aidan: “He had a lovely run the first day. He will have a break now and we will train him for the Voltigeur (York). I thought the ground would be a worry, he’s a good mover.”
The handicapper had a difficult job attempting to give the Johnny Feane-trained Prince Connoisseur a mark for the Pride Of Tipperary Festival 2014 Handicap.
The gelding arrived on the back of just a single outing, winning what looked a modest contest at Dundalk back in January.
Well there is little doubt Prince Connoisseur was allowed in on a lenient mark, as he streaked away with this in the hands of Fran Berry.
“There are no real plans, I’m just delighted to get that over and done with”, reported Feane.
Lupie, a remote third behind the high class Anthem Alexander on this track previously, landed the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
She was fast into stride for Declan McDonogh and was always holding the late thrust of newcomer, Laharde, in the final hundred yards.
Aidan O’Brien’s Rule The Waves went off a weak favourite. He trailed in a poor fourth, displaying little enthusiasm for the game.
Lupie is trained by Andy Slattery and he also teamed up with McDonogh to take the Tipperary Family Day Saturday 12th July Handicap with Ucanchoose.
The eight-year-old landed a touch to boot, taken at 12-1 in the morning and returned at 4’s.
Given a typically strong McDonogh drive the son of Choisir swept through late to score by a neck.
He has now won six races in his life, four at Tipperary, with the other two coming at Naas.
Juara, trained in Cavan by Anthony Mulholland, proved an easy winner of the Pride Of Tipperary Launch Handicap.
Her cosy success owed plenty to the tactics adopted by the wily veteran, John Egan. Continuous rain was softening the surface all of the time and Egan came widest of in the straight. Juara did the rest, easing away through the last furlong to beat Oneeightofamile.
Commented Mulholland: “John gave her a very good ride, the mile and six was a big help.”
Wayne Lordan continued in good form when powering Lilly The Lioness to a clear-cut seven lengths success in the TipperaryRaces.ie Handicap.
Said Lordan: “I thought the ground was gone against her. She’s normally keen, but settled well.”
Bookmakers, who had very much the best off the battle, ended on the perfect note in the seven-runner The Ladies’ Day At Tipperary Sunday 20th July Rated Race.
Victory went to the Patrick Prendergast-trained 20-1 shot Windward Passage, who made most in the hands of Fergal Lynch.
The son of Dubawi was having a second outing since being gelded and was sporting blinkers for the first time.
