Paul Carberry and his father Tommy combined to take the opening Drumcliffe Maiden Hurdle at Sligo yesterday evening with the impressive Dianeme. The four-year-old filly was always travelling sweetly on the testing ground, and cruised to the front off the home turn to beat Putsometnby by a facile four lengths.
'She also handled soft ground well when third to Rostropovich at Naas over the winter, but is a bit high in the handicap because of that run', said Carberry senior afterwards.
Barry Geraghty was on the mark aboard A Few Bob Back in the Club Orange Handicap Hurdle. John Hassett's charge shrugged off the challenge of Princess Pearl after the last to score by four and a half lengths.
Hassett was denied a double later on when Summer Dreams was outstayed in the closing stages of the Leguard Maiden by the Kevin O'Ryan-ridden Standing Applause. 'That was a good ride from Kevin, and the conditions were extremely testing for both horse and rider', said winning trainer Dermot Weld's son Mark.
Gordon Power had his claim reduced from 5lb to 3lb when Wrong Key readily landed the Sherry Fitzgerald Draper Property Advisors Maiden. The well-backed 11/8 favourite raced prominently throughout, and was eased down inside the final furlong to beat Oileann Oir by three and a half lengths.
Tommy Stack saddled three runners in the Rosses Point Maiden, and they filled three of the first four placings, with Grisham stretching clear in the straight for Seamus Heffernan to beat stablemate Zeno by ten lengths.
[email protected]
