Listowel Report (Saturday)
Meanwhile at Listowel on Saturday, Dermot Weld continued his impressive start to the new Flat season when completing a near 35/1 double with Rickison and Hirapour.
Rickison benefitted from a fine ride by Declan McDonogh, leading before the home turn and holding off by a neck the challenge of uneasy favourite Raypour to make a winning debut in the Kerry Spring Water Apprentice Maiden.
Hirapour, who fetched 150,000gns at the Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket last autumn, brought Weld's tally for the campaign to nine in the Dawn Pure Orange Juice Race. Pat Smullen's mount headed Morning Breeze in the closing stages to score by three quarters of a length, while Theatreworld, driven along throughout by Mick Kinane, lost touch entering the straight.
Weld views the Michael Watt-owned gelding as 'a nice dual purpose horse, who will run next in either a conditions race at Navan or the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.'
Alluring booked her place in the Derrinstown 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on May 14 by making all under Kinane for a runaway success in the Kerry Maid Maiden.
Valley Erne recorded the most unlikely win of the day in the featured Dawn Milk Handicap Chase. Kieran Kelly's mount came to a virtual standstill after a bad mistake when in front three out, and appeared to have lost any chance. However he rallied to remarkable effect, and was left in front after Tyndarius fell at the last for a two and a half length winning margin over Streamstown. Winning trainer Michael Cunningham nominated the David Austin Memorial Novice Handicap Chase at Punchestown for his next outing.
