Dreal Deal delivers on first start for Rothwell
On his first run for Philip Rothwell, having been with John McConnell and Ronan McNally, he was given a fine ride by Simon Torrens to collar longtime leader Gaelic Arc in the final stride.
'That's a massive surprise,' admitted the winning trainer. 'I saw he was in a claimer in Sligo last month for €15,000 and I bought into him myself privately after the race. I knew some of the lads involved and they asked me would I like to buy a share in him and to train him.
'We've changed things around. He is living in a paddock on his own and we've done a lot of different little things with him. I was hoping for a confidence-building run so it was far from expected, but I think we can build on it.'
Nurburgring limbered up for a tilt at the Galway Plate with a spin over an inadequate two miles and a furlong in the Lee Strand Novice Chase but it provided a good spin for the classy dual-purpose performer. His jumping wasn't without an error or two, but JJ Slevin knew what he had under him, and simply pushed him out hands and heels to see off Special Cadeau, who had travelled well to mount a challenge.
Victory gave trainer Joseph O'Brien his sixth winner of this meeting to add to one in Nottingham earlier in the afternoon, and one on Thursday evening in Leopardstown.
'It's been a great week,' said stable representative Michael Halford. 'He's a smashing horse. On his form, he was entitled to do that, and he did it well. He missed the second-last but they were just going on a bit at it, and he never lost any momentum.
'He hadn't jumped for a while, so that will have done him the world of good, and he'll probably go to Galway now, for the Plate.'
The day opened with a 50-1 winner, Something Noble, who made a winning debut over timber in the Killarbney Park Hotel 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
'Thrilled with the horses,' said winning trainer Ciarán Murphy. 'They're in great form, and coming right at the right time, so I'm happy out.
'We think this is this horse's future. We were thrilled with him at home, and if he ran a nice race today, we were happy. Very impressed with Eoin (Walsh) today, he gave him a super ride. The horse has loads of scope and was bought with this in mind, but he will do the Flat job too.'
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy got amongst the winners when Neon Diamond ran out an easy winner of the Killarney Grand Mares' Maiden Hurdle. A bumper winner in April of last year, she was disappointing in early forays over hurdles, but this was much better and it will be no surprise if she adds another couple to her tally in the coming weeks.
Greatness Awaits, having just his second run for Cian Collins, took the Lee Strand Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Jordan Gainford. Brought from last to first to lead between the last two obstacles, he had to be ridden out to hold the late rally of market leader Winning Smut, who was a little caught for toe before flying home to snatch second place.
Killarney is a track which Enda Bolger targets with great success and recent Limerick winner Tippin And Tappin gave the Limerick trainer another success at the venue when landing the first division of the Europe Hotel And Resort Handicap Chase under a positive ride by Darragh O'Keeffe.
The second division went to the John Ryan-trained Smallcraftwarning, who was given a smart ride by Daniel King to creep into contention and then forge clear approaching the last for a comfortable success.
John Murphy, who had two impressive winners in the Flat phase of the festival, went close to winning a bumper on Thursday night but made no mistake in this finale. Lemon Zest, building on a promising debut, needed plenty of assistance from Harry Swan but eventually got there with a little to spare.
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Sunday World
a day ago
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Nurburgring and Masoun leading the charge for Joseph O'Brien
DOUBLE TARGET | Galway and Goodwood are on the agenda this week And now seven years after he won the Irish Derby with Latrobe, Joseph has charge of the likely favourite for next Wednesday's Tote Galway Plate in Nurburgring, who skipped home seven lengths clear in the Guinness Galway Hurdle last year. Back in the heady days when Dermot Weld was the undoubted King of Ballybrit, Ansar completed that great double in 2001 and 2004, and that great crowd favourite came back to win the Plate again in 2005. Yet whatever happens in that great carnival on the Western seaboard this week, Joseph's mind won't stray too far from the day job, as he also has serious business to attend to at Glorious Goodwood. Indeed hat-trick seeking Masoun catches the eye among the entries for the first race of the week at the famed West Sussex venue, the Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap on Tuesday. He was being teed up for a handicap at Royal Ascot but didn't make the cut, instead he won the Ladies Derby at The Curragh under Elizabeth Gale. But Joseph's best chance at Goodwood comes much later in the week, with Goodie Two Shoes in the Lillie Langtry on Saturday. Perhaps his background in the jumping game taught Joseph the benefit of patience, but there is little doubt that this JP McManus owned six-year-old is really in full flower now, her Stanerra Stakes win at Fairyhouse being a career best. She'll need to progress again but there's every chance she will, and the faster the ground the better. Joseph and J P also have a leading fancy for the opening day big feature at Galway tomorrow evening, the Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders, in Comfort Zone, where a real threat is Toll Stone who represents the lethal Galway combination of Emmet Mullins and owner Annette Mee. He won at the festival last year in his first flat handicap. That was on the Friday night and he was hammered in from 3/1 to 11/10 jolly when trying to defy a 7 lbs penalty for a quick follow-up the following day but he never landed a blow. Horses often win twice during the week at Ballybrit but very rarely on successive days. Toll Stone finished a close second to Comfort Zone in a hot handicap at Naas last November and he won't be too far away tomorrow either, particularly with John Gleeson doing the steering. But there is one entry in tomorrow's big race that really stands out. For so many of us backing Dermot Weld bankers on the flat with the late Pat Smullen on board, it used to comfortably cover the week's expenses back in the day. And should young 7 lbs claimer and son of the great man Paddy Smullen bring Falcon Eight home in front for Weld tomorrow, the cheers will lift the roof off the Killanin Stand. Trainer Joseph O'Brien at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Any value in Nurburgring's price for the Plate is well gone at this stage, and Thecompanysergeant, Jesse Evans and two Gordon Elliott runners, Zanahiyr and Down Memory Lane, have also attracted plenty of ante-post interest. A local winner of the Plate would be a bit special and the Paul Gilligan trained Buddy One has serious prospects. A winner on the flat at nearby Ballinrobe last Monday, the eight-year-old has a serious CV, including a win at a Cheltenham November meeting and a fourth to Teahupoo in last year's Stayers Hurdle. He was second to Strong Leader in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree and was third to Croke Park and Better Days Ahead in the Racing Post Long Distance Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas. The Athenry runner is also well proven at Ballybrit, having won over hurdles, and he made a winning start over fences over this course and distance last October. He is generally 25/1 at present but strong local support on the day could see him start a lot shorter on Wednesday but, whatever the odds, only his best will do. Another interesting 25/1 shot is the Willie Mullins-trained Arctic Fly, who has blown hot and cold, both at this track and elsewhere. She has won two of her last four races, including Tipp last time out, but was pulled up in the other two. She is good enough to win if in the mood and things go her way. Whether the contours of Galway suit stablemate Spanish Harlem is open to question. He could be more interesting in the Kerry or Munster Nationals later in the year if getting decent ground. Previous Galway Festival form is a good guide, and a few quid on Gordon Elliott's Royal Eagle in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase on Tuesday might pay for a few pints in Quay Street afterwards, though stablemate King Of Kingsfield would bring a touch of class if lining up also. Betting is a serious business this week, and, for all the closing time yards of plots and schemes hatched and horses being 'teed up' to win at Galway for exiles returning on holidays, I have found down the years that at Ballybrit – just like everywhere else – eye-catching recent form is the best short cut to the winners' enclosure. Here is a list of horses worth serious consideration – Blues Emperor (J Murtagh); Tribal Nation (J O'Brien); Davy Crockett, La Note Verte and Vicar Street (W Mullins); Slieve Binnian (D Marnane); Sign From Above (P Fahey); Facethepuckout (M O'Callaghan); Highbury See See, Faoladh (A Slattery); Sounds Like A Plan (A Oliver); Heiselectric (N Meade); Bal Kauto (D Queally); Cornmarket (J Cullen); Moonovercloon (M Smith); Kenisa Sport (G Elliott); Spanish Temptress (R O'Brien); Sunny South West (E Power); Chally Chute (Ross O'Sullivan; Mo Ghille Mar (J Harrington); Dunkerque (G Cromwell); Drumgill (J Ryan); Roderick (P Sweeney) and Far From Dandy (S Thorne).
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Red Evolution claims Doneraile Handicap
Runner-up in the recent 'Rockingham' at the Curragh, the Michael O'Callaghan-trained three-year-old Red Evolution, a course and distance winner back in May, stepped-up to land the featured, €45,000 Doneraile Handicap in Cork. Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Mehmas gelding chased a strong pace and came through inside the final furlong to foil Eclairage by a length and a quarter. 'I had a good pace to aim at, which was ideal,' explained the winning rider. 'He was very genuine when I got stuck into him and found plenty. He's very solid and getting stronger and improving with age and racing.' Red Evolution might now be aimed at a 0-100 three-year-old handicap at the Curragh on August 9 before a possible tilt at the listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary (August 31). Dylan Browne McMonagle completed a double, bringing his seasonal tally to 49, just one behind reigning champion Colin Keane in the title race, when seen at his strongest on Joseph O'Brien's filly Mojave River in the Buy Tickets Online At Median Auction Race. The 4/6 favourite had to dig deep to see off market rival Nancy J before holding the late challenge of Sonoran by a half-length. Renewing Tipperary rivalry with Ballydoyle colt and favourite Kansas, on 5lb. better terms, Jack The Bachelor (Jack Kearney) readily turned the tables when making all to take the five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-Y-0 Rated Race. The Mehmas colt was another winner for trainer Stephen Thorne, who commented, 'He's a very, very speedy horse. And five furlongs on a flat track, on fast ground, is what he needs – he's all speed. 'We thought he had a great chance of overturning the Tipperary form, at the revised weights, and he was drawn in the car park in Down Royal. 'We'll look for a listed, five-furlong race on a flat track. He might have to travel. And there's the five-furlong at Dundalk in the autumn (the 'Legacy' on October 3).' Having her fourth start, the Paddy Magee-trained Rosie Frith (20/1) ploughed a lone furrow up the far side to good effect in the opening Irish EBF Auction Series 2-Y-0 Maiden, scoring by two and a quarter lengths and giving apprentice paddy McGettigan his tenth winner of the season. Apprentice Adam Browne-Souza rode out his 10lb claim when partnering Colter Bay, trained by his grandfather Willie Browne, to a narrow victory in the six-furlong maiden. On the final day of jumps action before the Galway festival, champion-jockey Paul Townend delivered a double for Willie Mullins in the maiden hurdle action in Kilbeggan. Wide-margin winner of a Tramore bumper on debut, Love Me Tender made all to justify 30/100 favouritism in the opening Tote Maiden Hurdle, coasting home eighteen lengths clear of chief market rival Power Of Words. Townend commented, 'He won well and his price said he should. He loves jumping and is always looking for the next hurdle. He was impressive in his bumper and again today.' The enigmatic, lightly-raced eight-year-old Dysart Dasher completed the Mullins/Townend double, making all the running in the Tom McCormack Memorial Maiden Hurdle. 'He's talented but quirky, it's a family trait,' said Townend. 'He's mentally sill immature, but he's maturing and developing. He's a big unit for around here and should enjoy going chasing.' Jockey Aidan Kelly rode out his 5lb. claim on board Padraig Roche's filly Sprinkles in a division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle while the Shane Broderick-trained A Wave Of The Sea recorded his first win since February 2022, under Mark Walsh, in the Egan Stone Kilbeggan Handicap Chase.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Treble for Joseph O'Brien as Browne McMonagle claims 47th success of season
Highlight of an across-the-card treble for Joseph O'Brien and a 47th success of the season for Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was completing a double, North Coast turned over hot-pot Flushing Meadows in the Group 3 Japan Racign Association Tyros 2-Y-0 Stakes in Leopardstown. Third to the 30/100 favourite when both colts made their respective debuts at the Curragh, the Starman colt made all, had the favourite in trouble with two furlongs to race and stayed to score by six lengths, with Ryan Moore easing his mount, when clearly beaten, inside the final furlong. 'I was very impressed, particularly in the last hundred yards,' stated O'Brien. 'He's a smart colt, with a good attitude. We've campaigned him aggressively – this was his fourth run. We decided we'd make the favourite work for it and it worked out really well. 'The obvious race for him is to go straight for the National Stakes at the Curragh. And the Breeders Cup Juvenile might suit him well around the bend. I'm excited about his future.' Successful with hurdling debutant Claude (J J Slevin) in the Wexford opener, O'Brien also landed the Frank Conroy Irish BF 2-Y-0 Maiden with 12/1 shot Hardy Warrior who, building on an eye-catching debut at Killarney, made all to see off South island and favourite Montreal, who was slowly into his stride. 'We were very happy with his Killarney run – he was quite green and Declan (McDonogh) gave him a very positive review,' explained O'Brien. 'He put his experience to good use here, quickened up nicely and looks a nice colt. 'He should continue improving and is a solid, tough colt. We'll stick to a mile and he wouldn't want ground any faster than today. We might look at the 'Beresford' for him.' The Ballydoyle team, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, had enjoyed better luck in the Group 3 Saudi Cup Silver Flash 2-Y-0 Stakes when Composing justified 4/9 favouritism in fine style. Soon in front, Moore dictated the pace on the Curragh maiden winner and, having quickened clear before the furlong-pole, she ran on well to triumph by three and a quarter lengths from Skydance. 'You'd have to be delighted with that,' said Aidan O'Brien, 'She's a lovely straight-forward filly. She won lovely at the Curragh for Wayne (Lordan) and Ryan loved her tonight – she was very professional. 'She'll go for the 'Debutante' at the Curragh (August 23) next and could be a filly for the Moyglare after that.' Carriganog filly Teewinot was an uneasy 13/8 favourite for the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Fillies maiden but was brushed aside by Stephen Thorne's debutante Mayflower, who overcame a tardy start and swooped late under Ben Coen (his 30th winner of the season) to score by a length and a quarter, in the colours of Shamrock Thoroughbreds. 'She came highly recommended by Robson Aguilar,' said Thorne. 'She's a big girl and this was an ideal place for her to start. She quickened well and looks a filly with a future.' Later, Dermot Weld stated, 'Tactics still win races,' after Chris Hayes partnered Alice Monet, winner of a recent 'optional claimer' at Fairyhouse, to a convincing all-the-way success in the Dublin To Bahrain Race Series 3-Y-0 Handicap, adding, 'This was a good opportunity and I think she'll develop into a stakes filly.' In Wexford, Phillip Enright took the riding honours, registering a double in the divisions of the WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle, on the Aengus King-trained joint-favourite Chosen Shant and twelve-year-old 25/1 shot Dontdooddson, trained by Darren Collins.
