The Pat Tallis trained Acorn Lodge is proving a credit to her connections after gaining her second win in four days in division 2 of the apprentice maiden, thus edging jockey Cathy Gannon ahead in the battle for this season's champion apprentice.
Acorn Lodge (11/10 favourite), who won at Navan on Wednesday, made all to easily defeat fifteen rivals under a strong ride and will now be given a break, according to Tallis. The winning trainer also added 'she is the only horse I currently have in training and credit for the win must go to John Houlihan, my son-in-law, for doing a lot of work with the filly.'
Apprentice Billy Lee brought his total for this season to 20 winners when recording a double on Broomfield Lad and Maid To Order.
Broomfield Lad won the opening six furlong maiden for trainer Pat Carey. According to Carey, the 75 rated gelding 'will now have one more race this season, probably in a winners' race at Galway.'
Lee excelled when completing his double on popular local winner Maid To Order in the one mile handicap. Trainer Paul Cashman later praised Lee, saying 'it took us a while to figure her out and Billy's great ride was the key. She looks capable of winning another race now, but needs to come from behind in her races.'
The Aidan O'Brien trained Meath looked a potential star when easily winning the one mile two year old maiden. The son of Sadler's Wells was always prominent and went into a clear lead entering the straight for a six length win under Seamus Heffernan.
First time blinkers worked well on Eddie Lynam's Errachidia, winner of division one of the apprentice handicap. The well bred daughter of King Of Kings was providing 18 year old Brian Hughes with his fifth win and Lynam later stated 'I rarely use blinkers on any of my horses but they have certainly worked on her.'
The Pat Delany-trained Libras Child (8/1) defeated eleven rivals to win the Sno Yogurt Handicap in the hands of apprentice Damian Murphy. Delaney lated mentioned 'I am delighted he won because it is the first winner for his owner Suzy Allen.'
Vade Retro easily defeated eight rivals to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race by two lengths under Kevin Manning for trainer James Burns.
Willie Mullins' Skihawn survived a stewards enquiry when winning the concluding one mile maiden under Davy Condon.
Thomas Weekes.
