Westport jockey Conor Hoban enjoyed his first success at Ballinrobe© Photo Healy Racing
However hearty the cheer for Shadow Eile was in the first, it was trumped not surprisingly by a mare on a hat-trick in the second, Our Nana Rose The fact that she headed the betting and was ridden by Westport-jockey Conor Hoban helped, the successful daughter of Viking Ruler showing commendable courage to fend off Everything Zain in the Paddy Smyth Memorial Apprentice Handicap at Ballinrobe.
Gaining the seventh victory of her life, Our Nana Rose was maintaining the incredible run of success being enjoyed by her trainer Pat Martin and she was very gritty when she needed to be to supplement wins at Bellewstown and Sligo – both achieved over hurdles.
Martin said: "That's Conor's first winner in Ballinrobe so it's special for him. He's a fantastic rider – the way he dictated the pace.
"She can go on until August the 8th (she is in foal to Zebedee). She'll probably finish up in the mares hurdle on the last day of Galway.
"She's entered in a mile and two race at the weekend but we'll probably wait until Galway." Massyoun was found to be lame. He was backed from 5/1 into 11/4 and he finished 12th. (DM & EM)
