Bishopton defies top-weight to land New Saddle Bar Handicap at Dundalk
GALLOPER: Bishopton and Paddy Harnett won for trainer Natalia Lupini. Pic: Healy Racing
Helped by Paddy Harnett’s 5lb. claim and strength, the Natalia Lupini-trained Bishopton defied top-weight and justified 7/2 favouritism in the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap in Dundalk.
Always prominent, the Invincible Spirit gelding got the better of Venetian by a half-length, with Um Wadi an eye-catching third.
The winning trainer explained, “The horses seem healthy and in good form. This horse is bigger and stronger this year and the penny has dropped.
“Paddy gave him a good ride and said he was always holding the other horse. He should be a lovely Saturday horse for the summer, for the Curragh on Guineas weekend and Derby weekend. There are plenty of options open to him, over six and seven furlongs.”
Robson de Aguiar saddled a 1-2 in the Irish EBF median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Maiden, victory going to 4/9 favourite Maria Quiteria, a Churchill filly, ridden by Donagh O’Connor to a smooth four and a quarter lengths win over Belle Island.
“She has always shown a bit of class at home,” said the trainer, “She will improve over six and seven furlongs in the future. She collected the (€50,000) Goffs Bonus today, so it’s a good start for the syndicate.
“She’ll go for the Group 3 (the Coolmore Juvenile Fillies Sprint on May 17) in Naas next.”
It was a night to remember for Catlecomer-based Pat Murphy, who recorded a 127/1 double with Methgal and Desert Friend in the 0-60 handicap action.
Methgal, enterprisingly ridden by apprentice Conor Cusack, made all to take the Sunday 12th July Ladies Day Handicap, holding the late effort of favourite Sakakawea by a half-length.
“The plan was to go forward and Conor gave him a peach of a ride,” said Murphy, who struck again when the Chris Hayes-ridden Desert Friend took the two-mile handicap at the expense of top-weight Disco Boy.
Murphy commented, “He’s keen – Chris said he ran away with him for a mile and six – but it worked out grand. I’d say we’ll try him on the turf now.”
Back from riding a winner for Juddmonte in Chantilly on Thursday, Colin Keane landed the one-mile maiden on well-backed 5/4 favourite Gaiety Girl, owned and trained by Paul McEnery and a fluent scorer from market rival Wild Sapphire.
Anthony McCann, on the mark with Silent Guardian in Clonmel on Thursday, struck again when Rising Sky, partnered by apprentice Patrick McGettigan and wearing blinkers for the first time, opened her account (at the fourteenth attempt) in the concluding Next Friday Fixture At Dundalk 10th April Handicap.
And Denis Hogan continued his fine strike-rate in claimers with 10/1 shot Benavente (Julian Pietropaolo) in the opener.
