Norwalk Havoc leads Harrington Leopardstown double as Shaool shines too
Norwalk Havoc and Seamie Heffernan win the Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes (Listed) at Leopardstown. Pic: Healy Racing Photo.
Jessica Harrington’s team continued its fine run of form with a Leopardstown double which included the listed Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes with Norwalk Havoc.
Given a fine front-running ride by the evergreen Seamie Heffernan, the 5-1 chance kicked from the front and was gone beyond recall before Queen Of Thunder made progress into the runner-up position.
Keithen Kennedy was in the saddle to complete the stable’s 25-1 double, which he did aboard Dark Viper in the Gables Foxrock Cup Handicap. Leading over a furlong out, he held the run of the returning Terre De Vega, who ran an encouraging race on his first outing for John Kinsella.
The other graded race on the card was the listed Trigo Stakes and Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen, who have shared a season to remember, landed the spoils with Shaool. The 6-4 favourite got a great run down the inside rail but would likely have won even if finding trouble in running as he asserted late to put six lengths between himself and nearest rival Acapulco Bay.
There was drama in the Bahrain Turf Club October Handicap, in which Navy Waters finished three and a quarter lengths clear of nearest rival Blake, but lost the race in the stewards’ room.
He came across the path of the runner-up inside the final furlong, causing Noel Meade’s horse to check badly and lose all momentum. The stewards deemed the interference sufficient to turn around the result, though it won’t be surprising if this one produces plenty of debate given the margin of victory.
Johnny Feane took the opener, the Fruit Shoot Maiden, with the Luke McAteer-ridden Playin Cool, while Pillar Of Hope, ridden by Patrick McGettigan, gave Letterkenny trainer Paul Sweeney victory.
Skippinandajumpin wasn’t an easy ride in the finale, a seven-furlong handicap, but Dylan Browne McMonagle did a great job to get him up close home for another crucial victory in his quest for that jockeys’ title.
