Trainer Tony Martin was quick to praise jockey Paul Carberry after his winning ride on Rathnally Park in the opening Slaney Maiden Hurdle. Martin stated 'Paul switched him off in the early stages and he jumped well as a result.' The winner, however, made a mess of the final flight but held Jiran by three parts of a length. According to Martin, Rathnally Park is a nice chasing prospect but may contest a winners' hurdle race in Galway next.
Carberry visited the winner's enclosure half an hour later after giving top weight Zamnah a brilliantly judged ride in the James Brennan Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Zamnah was always prominent and Carberry wasted no time in driving the five year old to the front once Wheaten King fell at the fourth last. From here John Bowles' inmate stuck to her task well under a strong drive from Carberry. The winning trainer, who recently moved into his new yard near Kinnegad,
mentioned that Zamnah may now go chasing in the Summer while also stating that soft ground is vital for the daughter of Naheez.
American based owner Eleanor Morris made the trip home a worthwhile one, when seeing her Truly Gold triumph in the 1m5f Handicap. Trainer Mick Halford had been trying to find a race for Truly Gold this week, thus commencing an excellent week for her owner who is soon to be married in Rome.
Frank Ennis' Miss Devious may bid for a hat-trick of wins in Clonmel next Thursday after winning the two mile Kilmore Handicap. A winner in Roscommon earlier in the month, Miss Devious is desciribed as being 'very tough'.
Sheikh Mohammed's Zimbabwe ran out an easy winner of the 1m5f Auction Maiden. Sent off the 2/7 favourite, Zimbabwe eased clear of his rivals after the home turn and eventually defeated Sarobar by a ridiciously easy four and a half lengths.
Three pound claimer Shane McCann landed the 2m6f Handicap Chase on Sean Treacy's Inchiquin Castle who was bridging a gap of four years since his previous win.
The concluding Bumper saw trainer Michael Hourigan saddle the first two finishers when Katie Sobling, in the very capable hands of Niall Madden, defeated stable mate Tap The Barrel by two lengths.
Thomas Weekes.
