Arizona Raider keeps Royal Ascot dream alive with Roscommon win
Arizona Raider and Wesley Joyce (white sleeves) won for owner Sean Cahill and trainer Michael Mulvany at Roscommon. Pic: Healy Racing
Mick Mulvany saddled his second two-year-old winner of the season when Arizona Raider, who had shown promise in both previous starts, came good under Wesley Joyce in the featured auction series maiden in Roscommon, getting the better of newcomers Penny Benjamin and Glenade.
“He had two good runs and we were confident enough coming here,” admitted a delighted Mulvany. “The dream for Sean (owner Sean Cahill) was to go to Royal Ascot. We’ll have to make a decision but, if he goes, it’ll probably be for the ‘Coventry’. He’s a good, honest horse. He’s big and strong and will keep improving.”
On the back of his spectacular double in Naas on Sunday, Henry de Bromhead was on the mark again when Huff’N’Puff (Billy Lee) made virtually all the running and, having been headed briefly, toughed it out to hold Changing Lanes by a neck in the Michael Tiger Lyons Memorial Maiden, the pair stretching four lengths clear of the rest.
Robbie Power, representing the trainer, commented, “He stuck his head out and galloped through the line. Billy says he wants a mile and a half. He’ll be a nice horse for the summer and will probably head for a three-year-old handicap somewhere.”
Ronan Whelan, who bagged a big-priced double for De Bromhead on Sunday, followed-up when delivering a winner for his mother Kathleen, partnering 6/5 favourite Mo Anam Chara to victory in the opening claimer.
The Circus Maximus filly is trained by Mark Fahey, who said, “She had good form and did it very well. I’ve known Tom and Kathleen a long time and I’m delighted to train a winner for them.”
Noel Meade and Colin Keane combined successfully for the second time in as many days when Sir Jeremy, on his second start for the stable, proved too strong for Electric Beauty in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Handicap.
“He disappointed us the first day, but has started to show a bit and I’d say the rain helped him, although he doesn’t want it heavy,” explained Meade. “We’ll look for something similar. And he’s been schooled over hurdles.”
Keane completed a 44/1 double, bringing his seasonal tally in Ireland to 18, when guiding Superficial, trained by in-form Andy McNamara, to a convincing win over favourite Obscenity in the Racing Again Here On June 8th Handicap.
A winner on this card last year, the Jessica Harrington-trained Thrifty Of Digby (Shae Foley) made a successful return to Roscommon when taking the Knockcroghery Handicap at the expense of Zabriskie Point.
Harrington said, “She’s as genuine as anything and that’s her fourth win. She loves it around here and she was back in the right grade.”
Trainer Michael O’Callaghan registered a poignant success (his first since the death of his close ally John Fleming) when Adel (Jamie Powell) defied top-weight in the Abbey Hotel Handicap, keeping Connecteo at bay.
“He’s bred to stay, but he’s still babyish and only starting to find his feet,” said the winning rider. “We’ve always liked him and he’s starting to come into his own. He was keen but kept going. He handled the trip, but could drop back to a mile and a quarter.”
