There was an exciting conclusion to the featured fillies handicap at Roscommon last evening, the well-supported joint-favourite Bush Maiden (4/1 into 7/2) overcoming a slow start to hit the front close home.
An easy course and distance maiden victor back in May, the Maryrose Hayes owned/trained and bred five-year-old was still only fourth over a furlong out under Michael Kinane.
Stylist had set the pace and after being strongly pressed from early in the straight, she rallied, but Bush Maiden came home best to win by three parts of a length. Less than a length covered the first four.
Michael Halford is fourth in the leading flat trainers list with thirty six winners, the latest being the Fran Berry-ridden (leads the jockeys title race by two on fifty five) Miss Chaussini in the opener.
The 5/2 second market choice led inside the final furlong and kept on well to beat outsider Glenviews Babalou. Favourite, Redstone Dancer was a slow-starting never-dangerous tenth.
It didnt get any better for supporters of the top one in the betting half an hour later when 8/13 shot, Bawaader could make no impression in the final furlong behind Nakiska.
A third success in five days for the Michael Grassick yard, Niall McCullagh had the daughter of Darshaan in front all the way and she ultimately won by a comfortable two lengths.
Grassick said afterwards, 'I was waiting for a little ease in the ground for her and she just about got away with it tonight. She is small but her heart is in the right place.'
Going on to outline plans, the Curragh trainer added, 'I might now look for a little Listed race on the continent for her.'
Four times a winner on the level and successful the same amount of times over hurdles, ten-year-old Akasian has been very lightly-raced since defying top-weight over three miles over four years ago at Galway.
With a rating over flights of 113, Pat Hughes Alzao gelding competed in his fourth handicap chase off a mark of 86 with Ruby Walsh taking the mount.
A bad mistake four out threatened to ruin his interest, but the 6/1 chance made headway to lead approaching the last, staying on well to beat the never nearer Cockneys Pride by two lengths.
Later, 13/8 favourite, Ballyhoctor refused to race under Walsh, this novice hurdle being fought out between the Carberry brothers, Paul winning out on the Noel Meade-trained Naples.
After leading, he was headed well before the second last by Philip on Rajayla. However a mistake at the last by that one saw Naples soon back in front, going away to win by three lengths.
Gowran-based Michael Fitzgerald saddled his first winner on the racecourse proper, Allstar Leader under the owners son James OFarrell causing a 20/1 shock (over 65/1 on tote) in the handicap hurdle.
William Fitzpatricks Crossing made it two from two following up her Naas debut win from twenty six days ago with a comfortable two length triumph in the bumper in the hands of James Sullivan.
