Jim Mansell was the chief beneficiary from a toe injury to champion Barry Geraghty as he picked up a winning spare ride aboard Praetorian Gold at a very sparcely attended Tralee yesterday.
Mansell (17) only partnered his first winner on Raconteur here on Monday, and stepped in for Geraghty who stood himself down after taking a fall from Carmelite half-an-hour earlier in the Ballyheigue Maiden Hurdle. The well-backed 6/4 favourite slipped up on the bend after the first flight, and the Meathman aggravated a toe injury sustained here the previous day. Mansell's mount headed Midas Touch inside the final 100 yards to score by three and a half lengths.
Geraghty suffered another blow earlier when King Of Kerry, the 2/5 favourite for the opening Kingdom Beginners Chase (Division 1), fell at the fifth. Fair Notice made much of the running in this two mile event under Ruby Walsh, and was left clear after Holy St Smartleys also fell at the second last.
Kevin O'Brien has the Galway Festival as the main target for Gortmore Mews, who justified short-priced favouritism in division two of the beginners chase. Garrett Cotter could afford to ease the former winning point-to-pointer right down in the closing stages to beat Atlantic Run by a length.
'Garrett said he was not travelling well on the softer ground down the back straight. We will keep him on the go during the summer, with Galway being the long term plan,' said the Curragh based O'Brien.
William Ross (24), whose brother Anthony has enjoyed great success since joining Mary Reveley last season, recorded his first win under rules when successfully partnering Western View in division one of the Castlemaine Flat Race.
