Ian Rush's filly springs 12/1 surprise on Killarney debut
Cailin Miorruilach and Billy Lee won for owners Michael Ryan and Ian Rush and trainer Paddy Twomey at Killarney. Pic: Healy Racing
Shaihaan, trained for Al Shaqab Racing by Donnacha O’Brien, justified 3/1 favouritism in the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes (transferred from Cork last week) on Student Raceday in Killarney.
Ridden by Chris Hayes, the big Night Of Thunder gelding had to dig deep in the closing stages before prevailing by three-quarters of a length over Manton Bay with Caught U Sleeping and long-time leader Alphecca close behind.
“He’s a nice horse and felt in good shape after a break and a freshen-up,” stated the winning rider. “It was a messy race – we went no gallop. I thought I was able to control the race, until Wayne (on Action) rushed up the outside.
“My horse is a big boy and got unbalanced around the bend and I had to get him organised up the straight. But, in fairness to him, he put his head down, tried hard and battled.
“He enjoyed the ground and the tempo of the race didn’t trouble him – he has a nice turn of foot. Hopefully, he’ll keep improving.”
Together Now, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was sent off 2/7 favourite for the fillies maiden but failed to cope with the Paddy Twomey-trained debutante Cailin Miorruilach (12/1), owned by Michael Ryan and former Liverpool and Wales great Ian Rush.
A daughter of Siyouni, she overcame a tardy start to prevail by three-quarters of a length, prompting Billy Lee, having ridden his 89th winner of the season, to comment, “She’s always been in Paddy’s but wasn’t up to doing much until the summer. The penny is only starting to drop and she’s always a bit slow from the gate.
“She was a bit raw around the bends but battled well, because Wayne’s filly didn’t stop. She’s not too bad and should develop into a lovely four-year-old.”
The Slatterys continued their rich vein of form when Suir Monad, backed into 85/40 favourite, made virtually all under Sam Coen to open his account in the Carry Out Off Licence 3-Y-O Handicap, beating Down The Glen comfortably.
“He’s been promising to do that a while, but has been a little disappointing,” said Brian Slattery, “I hope he’ll step-up from this and we’ll go again. Sam gave him a lovely ride.”
Coen struck again and extended his lead over Reece Holohan to four (26-22) in the battle for the apprentice title when pouncing late, up the inside, on the David Marnane-trained 9/2 favourite and top-weight Jasmine Affanalis in the Killarney Student Raceday Handicap.
The colours of Ballylinch Stud were carried to victory by the Bayside Boy filly Coastal Wonder, ridden for John O’Donoghue by Rory Mulligan, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-Y-0 Maiden, the 3/1 joint-favourite proving too strong for Epic Arch.
“She’s a May foal and I probably started her too soon, but she’s won on her third start, which is great,” said O’Donoghue. “She’ll stay further as a three-year-old.”
Siobhan Rutledge extricated 20/1 shot Xirivella from a pocket on the rail to launch a late challenge and land the Gleneagle Killarney Median Auction Maiden at the expense of favourite Karrygrant.
“They kicked early, but my filly travelled strongly and when I got out, she picked up well,” commented Rutledge, “It all worked out well.”
Eight-year-old mare Ballybawn Belter, in the colours of JP McManus and better-known as a chaser, captured the concluding Spin Southwest Maiden under Seamus Heffernan.
Diego Lima, who rode fourth-placed Navy Guitar, received an eight-day whip ban (frequency).
Meanwhile, in Fairyhouse, Eoin McCarthy, who enjoyed a welcome change of luck with Kilbrin Rocco in Killarney on Sunday, was on the mark again when Well Bud, also ridden by Jack Kennedy, captured the Winter Festival Tickets On Sale Maiden Hurdle at the expense of Its Time For A Run.
Favourite backers had the best of the argument in the earlier maiden action as Myluckymaker (8/13) made most of the running to take the RED MILLS-sponsored opener under Alex Harvey.
In-form Harry Kelly saddled 4/11 favourite State Pension, third to classy Dallas Star last time, to open his hurdling account under Cian Quirke in the GavinLynchRacing.com Maiden Hurdle, proving too strong for Midtown Manhattan.
And Ado McGuinness registered a rare hurdle success when Annie’s Angel proved best in the Racing Again October 10th Mares Handicap Hurdle, an 11th win of the season for 7lb. claimer Conor Smithers.
