Declan McDonogh and Kevin Prendergast have teamed up to great effect this season, and both have broken through the 50 winner barrier this weekend. McDonogh was in double form on the opening session of Galway's two-day Bank Holiday meeting including a victory on the Prendergast-trained Imperial Brief.
The veteran Curragh trainer reached the half century landmark for the year with Imperial Brief in the opening two-year-old auction race. The gelding found plenty when asked to quicken in the straight by McDonogh, and drew clear in the closing stages to beat Zelkova by a length and a half.
McDonogh moved onto the 52 winner mark in this his best ever season when Riverboatman took the mile and a half handicap in convincing fashion. The dual purpose gelding was prominent throughout and stretched clear inside the final quarter mile to beat Sunshine Guest by seven lengths. 'He may go for another handicap at Leopardstown next Sunday but the main aim is a Grade 3 hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 27 and then on to the Dennys,' said trainer Frances Crowley.
Ladyjackline proved a popular local winner of the seven furlongs maiden, finishing with a real flourish under Chris Geoghegan to just deny top-weight Incline in the final stride.
Ballinrobe publican Michael Flannery recorded the most significant win of his training career when Miss Lauren Dee made all in the E50,000 Galway City Tribune Handicap Hurdle under a well-judged ride by Steve Ryder.
The eight-year-old mare had her clear advantage greatly reduced at the second last but Ryder had kept enough in reserve and she stayed on strongly in the straight to beat Out The Gap by two and a half lengths. 'It suited her to dictate things and I knew there was a big pot in her. She can't handle sticky ground but is able to get through that loose ground,' said Flannery, who has ten in training.
Sir Oj landed the odds in the Tote Exacta Ballybrit Novice Chase, making most of the running and keeping on well on the long run-in to beat the flattering Kickham by five lengths. 'He jumps good and stays well, and I was pretty hopefully today as he did a lovely bit of work the other day. He will be entered in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse,' said trainer Noel Meade.
Tipper Road also justified odds-on support in the three-year-old maiden hurdle, racing keenly up with the pace for Joey Elliott and holding off the determined challenge of Sesaro Express by two lengths. 'Joey did the right thing by letting him go on, and I would say his jumping has even improved since Gowran (second to Riverboatman),' said trainer Pat Hughes.
A minute's silence was held before racing in memory of Sean Cleary, who suffered a fatal fall at this meeting last year.
Alan Magee
