Hat Alnasar defies rise in weights for all-the-way win
Dropping back to seven furlongs, the tough, Michael Halford-trained four-year-old toughed it out well in the final furlong to hold the late surge of Spilt The Atom by a head with Northern Surprise just a neck away in third.
“He keeps improving and I keep thinking the handicapper will catch up with him,” said a delighted Halford after the Moss Vale colt’s fifth win on the polytrack.
“We’ve had a wonderful winter with him. He’s exceptionally tough and has a great will to win. He’s due a break and, as his owner has horses in Dubai, he might end up out there next winter.”
Maidens Sea Of Clubs and Ineffable, both carrying the colours of his wife Anne Marie, provided Aidan O’Brien’s Owning operation with a 109/1 double on the night.
Sea Of Clubs, a 16-race maiden and the first reserve, proved an emphatic two lengths winner of the 47-65 titanbet.com.uk Handicap under Seamus Heffernan, beating Zorba The Greek.
Joseph O’Brien commented: “She is what she is, but she has run well here a few times. It’s great to win with her because she’s a filly with a good pedigree. She might win another and she’ll probably be covered this year.”
The O’Briens ran three in the Download The Titanbet App 3-Y-0 Handicap, including top-weight and favourite Stone Mountain.
But victory went to front-running Ineffable, which held on gamely to keep Les Taliosis at bay by a short-head, despite jockey Mick Hussey putting up 1lb. overweight.
Joseph commented: “He had a great run the last day behind Stone Mountain, which went up 7lb. Mick gave him a great ride.
“He stays well and he should handle the grass during the summer”
