Reserve Direction shows his versatility

With three non-runners first reserve New Direction comfortably made it into the Festival Of Speed July 16th Handicap at Gowran. The New Approach gelding duly got the job done under Kevin Manning.

It was a long final furlong for backers and connections of the successful 14/1 shot but he got home by a length and three parts from favourite Light That

It was a nice performance from Jim Bolger's charge off a 101 day break. 

Coolcullen representative Ger Flynn said: "Kevin (Manning) said he handled the ground for a horse that's done most of his winning at Dundalk. The ground was loose.

"Kevin said he flew through the ground, battled and is as game as a pebble."

Bolger meanwhile was up having a cup of tea with Freddy Tylicki and they both came down for the presentation afterwards.

In his Racing Post column on Saturday Tylicki said: "The Flat season may be in full swing now but my recovery from what happened to me last October remains in its earliest stages.

"It has been great to get out and about to the races and other events in the last few weeks, but as I have said before, my focus remains all about getting into a new routine and I'm still working at that every day.

"Kieren Fallon spoke in last week's RP Sunday Q&A about how he continues to struggle with getting used to the next phase of his career, which I totally understand. It is surely not easy to find a new challenge after the end of a career of that calibre and I wish him well.

"Less than eight months have passed since I was injured and while I have made good progress in that time, like everybody in their own way, I have good and bad days. I am determined not to let them drag me down."

P.J. Smullen, rider of Heartful trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stopped quickly having travelled well early on.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Heartful, trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

D. K. Weld, trainer of Heartful, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge swallowed her tongue during this race

(GC & EM)