Ballycahill (C&G) Beginners S´chase of €10,000.00 5-y-o plus 3m.

1st - €6,910.00, 2nd - €1,700.00, 3rd - €800.00, 4th - €500.00 16 Ran

An unlikely victory for DOONEYS GATE as Parrot Cay looked sure to score when three lengths clear on the run-in before faltering. The light-raced winner was reappearing after a 15 months lay-off and, having travelled well to join issue before the straight, 'blew up' according to trainer Willie Mullins before getting a second wind just in time. The seven-year-old gelding is obviously a talented if somewhat fragile type, and could make up into a useful staying chaser.

PARROT CAY is also suited by a test of stamina and, after taking it up two out and looking home and hosed, proceeded to either idle or cry enough in the closing stages. This was still a fair effort, and surely a modest staying beginners chase is well within his grasp.

ROCK CAPTAIN was up with the pace throughout before falling two out when a close up but apparently weakening third, while VALLEY OF GIANTS also raced prominently but could not go with the leading pair in the straight. WICKFORD, probably the best backed in the race from 6/1 down to 7/2, threatened briefly to get into the race before making a mistake 5 out and was struggling when brought down at the next. BURREN BEN was reported to be lame.