John Oxx and Fran Berry were on hand to leave favourite backers feeling sour at
Gowran Park's mixed card on Sunday. The pair landed the first two races on the
card overturning the Aidan O Brien trained favourite on both occasions.
The double was instigated by Eyshal who scored in the opener by three parts of
a length from 5/4 shot Sorolla. Uneasy in the market prior to the race the
eventual winner got the better of a ding dong battle up the straight to put his
head in front at the third time of asking.
Afterwards Oxx commented, 'I am glad he has finally got his head in front
having been unlucky in his previous runs. There was no excuse for him today
although it was a good race.'
The double was complete half an hour later when Joshua's Princess landed the
filly's maiden. By Danehill, the winner was prominent throughout and stayed on
to beat the well supported favourite Peeping Fawn.
John Oxx was pleased with the performance, 'She came on well, having been a bit
green at Tipperary. She needs every bit of the mile and she might even step up
in trip now. The Listed Guineas trial would be a possibility but that is only
two weeks away so we will wait and see.'
Berry went on to complete a treble on the day scoring for winning Champion
Hurdle trainer Harry Rogers who was topping off a great week. Rogers sent out
the winner and the third horse Tipolino, in the contest with the latter
starting off 9/2 joint favourite. But it was 9/1 shot Araschan who obliged by a
comfortable two lengths.
Jimmy Quinn made a rare but profitable trip to the Kilkenny track when he
scored on the Joanna Morgan trained Closetocrazy. It was the Wexford jockey's
first winner at the track and he was a late replacement for Chris Timmons.
Under a strong ride the winner kicked for home two furlongs from out and the
line just came quick enough as Always The Groom finished strongly back in
second.
Crossing, a dual bumper winner in 2005 and a dual winner on the flat last
season returned to winning ways again in the Summer Holidays At Gowran Park
Handicap over a mile. Trained by William Fitzpatrick and ridden by Chris Hayes
the six year old was always up with the leaders and despite being headed inside
the final furlong battled back well to score by a neck from Namaya in second.
Tommy Treacy partnered Doncaster Sales bound Ethan's Star to land the maiden
hurdle over two and a half miles. The Mags Mullins trained five year old was an
impressive winner from Mr Duffy, despite making a mistake at the last.
'This is a lovely improving horse,' said Mullins. 'He is going to the sales now
and whoever buy's him will have a lovely genuine horse.'
While in the handicap hurdle Whats Up Bob held on despite idling in front to score for trainer Phillip Rothwell and Shane Jackson. In the bumper The Black Lion returned to the winners enclosure having finished fourth at last weeks Punchestown festival. Trained by Joe Crowley and ridden by Robbie McNamara the winner travelled strongly into the straight and went on beat Beroni by three parts of a length.
