Marnane on the mark with Slieve Binnian Slieve Binnian (7/1) registered a first success for his new trainer David Marnane at the Curragh today, as the Paul Rooney-owned gelding landed the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap under jockey Luke McAteer. Successful five times previously for trainer Michael Halford, who retired in January, the son of Awtaad settled behind the leaders and moved to lead over a furlong out, before scoring by three-parts of a length from Love Billy Boy In-form Marnane, with his 11th winner of 2025, reported “Mick (Halford) recommended us and I’ve known Paul Rooney for a long time. He’s one of the real gentlemen in racing. “Slieve Binnian ran really well on Guineas weekend, and then we put him away for this. He could be a Galway Mile horse and will need to go up a few pounds to get in, so we’ll see what the handicapper does with him. I’d like to have a go at Galway as he jumps smart and travels well. He hasn’t had many goes at a mile. “He took a while to get going the last day but came home well and sharpened up a lot from it.” Quotes from Alan Magee
