Helen Keohane's recent successes have attracted considerable attention and the nineteen year old again received great praise from trainer Ger Lyons after her success on Lyons' Amourallis in the opening Ratoath EBF Auction Maiden. Amourallis had been placed on both her previous starts and will now run in the Listed Swordlestown Stakes at Naas on Monday.
John Oxx's Alisar justified 4/5 favouratism in the Ashbourne Median Auction Race when defeating Latino Magic by three and a half lengths. Carrying the colours of the Aga Khan, Alisar always raced in the first two and battled gamely when the runner-up threatened two furlongs out.
Later, the Oxx-Johnny Murtagh combination were fancied to complete a double with Canouan in the Curkeen Rath EBF Maiden. Johnny Murtagh's mount, however, was unable to catch Swiss Roll once Wayne Lordan sent the Tommy Stack trained runner to the front with half a mile to race before staying on for a two and a half length success.
The versatile Peru Girl easily landed the Monard Handicap for trainer Pat Martin. Ridden by Sean Cleary, Peru Girl hit the front over a furlong out and easily accounted for Kenny's Pet before being eased down in the closing stages. Martin, who had expressed concerns regarding Peru Girl's ability to handle the soft ground, will now aim Peru Girl for a race in Laytown, a venue where she has previously been successful in 2000.
Triple bumper winner Simply Honest recaptured his best form when winning the Baltrasna Handicap under Seamus Heffernan. Trained by Tony Martin, the winner attracted quite a bit of market support and proved too strong for former Listed winner Alpha Blues.
The Declan Gillespie trained Guest Artist followed up on his recent Balinrobe success when receiving a strong drive from Fran Berry to win the Garristown Handicap. The winner led inside the final furlong and ran on strongly close home for a three length win over Tingshaw Ring.
Another Dollar landed the concluding Fegentri Bumper for the Irish Amateur team after being given a strong drive by Ross O'Sullivan for trainer Jessica Harrington.
Thomas Weekes.
