Panama Hat defies handicapper and draw to complete five-timer
With Fran Berry deputising for regular partner Chris Hayes (injured a wrist in a fall in Tramore on Saturday) Panama Hat, from stall thirteen, was unable to dominate from the front but, always close up, was in front early in the straight before staying on courageously to beat He’s Our Music by two and a half lengths with Ned’s Indian third.
It was a notable performance by Team Valor’s three-year-old Medicean gelding, racing off a mark of 96, a massive 36lb higher than when he started his winning sequence at Leopardstown on June 19.
Delighted trainer Andy Oliver stated: “He’s a horse that has surpassed himself — that was a fantastic performance,” before adding, “There are very few races for him now off his new mark so, when the ground turned soft in Galway, we had to wait until today.
“He’ll have to take on a different class of horse now and he’ll probably run in a premier handicap on Irish Champions Weekend.
“I had a couple of concerns coming here today, particularly the draw. He doesn’t have to lead, but likes a strong pace. Not having Chris (Hayes) was far from ideal, but Fran was a very able substitute — he gave the horse a great ride.”
Course specialist Prince Connoisseur retained his unbeaten record (three from three) on the polytrack when landing the opening Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Rated Race for trainer Johnny Feane, initiating a double for Fran Berry.
Out of his depth at listed level last time before being given a break, the Art Connoisseur gelding was soon in the firing-line and bossed the race, keeping on under pressure to beat Chiclet by a length and a quarter and prompting trainer Feane to admit: “We threw him in at the deep end the last day and this was a better option for him.”
Class-dropping juveniles Toscanini and Qualify opened their respective accounts in the maiden action and are set to return to stakes company in the coming weeks.
Running for the first time in maiden company and runner-up at Group2 level last time, Toscanini justified 1/5 favouritism in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden but gave odds-on players a few anxious moments, lugging left when coming under pressure before swooping late under Shane Foley to foil front-running General Marshall by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Michael Hourigan commented: “On his form, he was entitled to win. We were keen to drop him in, get him settled and get a win with him after some tough races. Shane said he was a bit lost when he pulled him out to challenge but when, he got hold of him and gave him a smack, he straightened. He was always confident he was always going to get there. We’ll have to discuss plans, but I’m sure he’ll be going back into a stakes race.”
Joseph O’Brien, rider of the runner-up, was suspended for two days for not giving his mount time to respond to his whip-use.
Halford and Foley completed a double when Refusetolisten got up in the dying strides to pip favourite Chief Suspect in the Bar One Racing Maiden.
Third in Group 3 company last time, Qualify made all to record an emphatic five and a half lengths win in the Irish Stallion farms 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden.
Back from his trip to Chicago to partner Magician in Saturday’s Arlington Million, Joseph O’Brien dictated the pace and gradually increased the tempo from the two-furlong-pole to slam Foolish Ways.
Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien commented: “She’s a lovely, progressive filly and is hardy, like all the Fastnet Rocks. If she’s okay during the week, it’s very possible she’ll run in the Debutante at the Curragh on Sunday.”
Former champion Pat Smullen completed a fine double on Eddie Lynam’s Maremmadiavola in the six-furlong Bar One Racing Mourne Handicap and Moonmeister, for Gordon Elliott, in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap.
Smullen’s handling of Maremmadianola was labelled “a great ride from a bad draw” by winning trainer Lynam after she made virtually all from stall thirteen.
