Jim Bolger recorded his eighth win in the Stillorgan Handicap, formerly known as the Golden Pages, when Masnada landed the e60,000 event under Gordon Power at Leopardstown on Saturday.
The Coolcullen handler, who enjoyed a memorable week beginning with Margarula's victory in the Darley Irish Oaks last Sunday, supplemented his great record in this nine furlong event as Masnada held on by a diminishing half length from Masani.
'She's never run a bad race here, and that's her fifth win at the track. She'll probably go next for a Listed race, while Avorado (finished 13th) was not helped by the overnight rain and will go for the McDonogh Handicap at Galway,' said Bolger.
Bolger doubled up in the EBF Fillies Maiden where the Kevin Manning-ridden Bronntanas got the better of a protracted duel with Silvertine by a neck, and the Moyglare Stud Stakes was mentioned afterwards as a possible target.
John Oxx's yard has shown definite signs of a return to form in the past week after a quiet spell due to coughing, and the Curragh trainer had further cause for optimism when saddling a double with d'Anjou and Quest For A Star.
d'Anjou was produced between horses by John Murtagh in the Richmond Race, swooping late to beat Miss Beabea by a neck, and Oxx commented afterwards, 'The horses seem to be coming back well. d'Anjou has been running well on soft ground as he really wants it fast, and will probably go next for the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh (August 11).'
Pat Cosgrave was suspended for three days for careless riding on Miss Beabea following an incident early in the straight involving Lethal Agenda and Maderno.
Quest For A Star, the first foal of Breeders Cup heroine Ridgewood Pearl, finally lost her maiden tag when defying topweight in the Fitzwilliam Handicap. The five-year-old gelding was brought wide in search of better ground in the straight by Murtagh, and was pushed out to beat Exile by two-and-a-half-lengths. 'He's had a lot of problems including a fractured hock as a three-year-old. We have been waiting a long time for this win, and it really means a lot', said owner/breeder Sean Coughlan.
Queens Wharf graduated from handicap company to land the Listed Challenge Stakes in the hands of Mick Kinane. Michael Halford's charge struck the front inside the final furlong to beat Slaney Sand by a length and a half, and the Curragh handler said: 'I thought earlier in the year that she would struggle to win a handicap, but she's really improved and went up 21lb in the ratings for her two handicap wins at the Curragh. I've no firm plans now, but she may go for something like the Oyster Stakes at Galway in September.'
Alan Magee
