Bucaneer's Spirit takes the claimer for Davison & Ryan Registering a third career win, Bucaneer's Spirit led home six rivals in the opener at Ballinrobe, the Tote.ie Claiming Race. Twice successful last season, the Jack Davison-trained four-year-old was expected to deliver this evening and returned the 11/8 favourite in the colours of Staton Flurry. Settled behind the leaders on the inner by James Ryan, the 74-rated bay was angled off the rail from the two-furlong pole and soon improved to challenge in second. Getting to the front on the approach to the straight and soon skipping a few lengths clear, he needed to be ridden out in the closing stages, holding off the late effort of the easy-to-back Capital Theory (15/2 from 3s early) by half-a-length. From early shows of 20/1, May Night (15/2) done all his best work toward the finish and was another half-a-length away in third. "It worked out perfect, we got into a lovely rhythm and crept away," Ryan, who rode out his claim at the Curragh on Saturday, reflected. "I was probably getting there sooner than I wanted to but around here you have to take your gaps when you are getting them. He was good and strong at the line. "Dropping in grade seemed to sweeten him up so hopefully he can improve off the back of it." The M8 Syndicate later picked up the winner for E12,000, with this one set to join Ian Donoghue's yard. Captain Hanley, who finished fourth, was claimed by Eamonn O'Connell for E7,000. STEWARDS REPORT * R.C. Colgan, rider of Takeachancejimmy, trained by Nigel Thomas Slevin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lugged a little left all the way. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
