Tap provides Cleary with poignant success

Rory Cleary took the race named in memory of his late brother for the second year in-a-row, as he guided Tap Focus to victory in the concluding Sean Cleary Memorial Handicap.

Successful twelve months ago aboard Greanta Cleary teamed-up with the Jim Bolger trained Tap Focus this time round.

Without a win in eleven previous starts, the daughter of Intense Focus was sent off a 16/1 chance in the second colours of owner Jackie Bolger.

Settled in mid-division she was pushed along on the approach to the straight. She was switched wide for room with over two furlongs to race, and was soon ridden.

She came with her challenge at the furlong pole, and got to the front inside the final furlong, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a half. The Nutcracker finished second under Seamie Heffernan for Tom Gibney at 6/1, while King Of Aran (16/1) was three parts of a length back in third, with Niall McCullagh in the saddle for Michael Grassick. Head Turner (16/1) kept on well to complete the placings a neck back in fourth under Pat Smullen for Pat Fahy.

Last year's winner Greanta (9's to 13/2) was squeezed for room over a furlong out, and she finished ninth for Tom Cleary and Ronan Whelan, while the 4/1 favourite Shake The Bucket was fifth.

Rory Cleary said afterwards: "Fair play to the boss (Jim Bolger) as he said the ground was too soft the last day in Sligo. He gave me simple instructions - just win!"

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards requested a report from J. S. Bolger, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Tap Focus, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Ger Flynn, authorised representative for J.S. Bolger stated that this horse was drawn wide at Sligo last time on heavy going. Today, having been drawn towards the inner and on better ground may have accounted for the apparent improvement. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee