Wider World and Fran Berry© Photo Healy Racing
Wider World stepped up markedly from her two previous efforts, to put in a performance to keep more in the line with her pedigree, causing a 20/1 surprise in the opening Irish Farmers Journal Median Auction Maiden at Ballinrobe.
Big morning market mover Benjalina was swept aside by the patiently ridden Wider World from the furlong pole, and the daughter of Dubai Destination, and 2009 Fred Winter heroine, Silk Affair, went on to defeat the staying on Lehbab by five and a half lengths. Park Rebel whom handler Paul Deegan reported to the stewards beforehand, had been operated on for his wind since his most recent start, took the third spot. The aforementioned Benjalina faded into fourth.
Well-backed favourite Navegante was reported to be lame after his sixth placed effort. Winning rider Fran Berry said on the Ken Condon-trained victor: "They went a good gallop. She misbehaved a bit the last day at Sligo and Ken said to put a line through that run.
"He said that she has got ability and that she would win a country maiden off it (her debut). She was reluctant to come out of the stalls the last day whatever was up with her.
"Today she was obviously in a better frame of mind. She jumped and travelled and I was always happy. She showed a bit of greenness when she went to the front but she quickened up well.
"The ones in front probably fell in a bit of a hole but take nothing away from her, it was a good performance."
C. O'Donoghue, rider of Navegante (GB) trained by John Joseph Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished lame.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Navegante (GB), trained by John Joseph Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on the near fore post race.
(DM & EM)
