Jamie Spencer continued his quick-fire start to the new Flat season at Tipperary's evening meeting, moving onto the 15 winner mark by virtue of the Aidan O'Brien-trained juvenile In Excelsis.
The five furlongs maiden was started, like the other three Flat races on the card, by flag as the stalls were out of commission due to the rain-softened ground. However the heavy conditions didn't deter punters from backing the son of Fusaichi Pegasus from 1/2 down to 1/4, although he needed to be shaken up inside the final furlong to get the better of Globalized by a length and a half. 'He's a lovely horse but hated the ground. They did well to race here today, and in fact have the track in great condition,' said O'Brien.
John Brassil has enjoyed plenty of success in the jumping ranks but surprisingly saddled his first winner on the Flat when Cora Chaitlin caused a 20/1 shock in the mile and a half handicap. Cathy Gannon, partnering her fourth winner of the new campaign, gave the mare a patient ride leading over a furlong out to beat Arbelina by two lengths.
'I've been training for about 20 years and havn't had that many runners on the Flat, but that's my first Flat winner,' said the Clare handler, best remembered for his 1992 Ladbroke Hurdle success with How's The Boss. 'I let her off last year as she was getting sore shins on fast ground. She'll have a few more runs on the Flat and then go hurdling,' he added.
Rihla was weak in the market, evens out to 6/4 favourite, for the nine furlongs fillies maiden but she had little difficulty in dispatching her 12 rivals. Michael Kinane eased her to the front early in the straight, and the Aga Khan's home-bred daughter of Soviet Star drew clear to beat Cils by five lengths.
Jockser was another to relish the heavy ground in the nine furlongs handicap, up with the pace throughout for Pat Cosgrave and stretching clear in the straight for a runaway six lengths verdict over Mount Grace. 'He's not grown over the winter but has a big heart, gallops and loves the ground,' said trainer Ger Lyons.
Rocksham may bid for a quick follow up at Sligo on Sunday after making all for a facile 12 length victory under Shay Barry in the handicap hurdle. 'She is liable for ballot at Sligo but she'll run if she gets in. The main aim this year is the Flat as I think she is quite well handicapped,' said trainer Dusty Sheehy.
There was a rousing finish to the maiden hurdle where the Davy Russell-ridden Mynish rallied in the final strides to deny the well-backed 5/4 favourite Nassaro by a head. The result was confirmed after a stewards enquiry into possible interference involving the principals from the second last.
Alan Magee
