Well-backed Rose finally blooms

The Noel Meade trained Dinard Rose landed a gamble in the Hennessy & Perozzi Handicap, scoring in the colours of Nina Carberry (Mrs T Walsh).

A solid fourth at Sligo on her last start, the daughter of Champs Elysees was available at 15/2 in early shows, opening on-course at 11/2, before going off a 7/2 co-favourite of three.

Stepping up in trip to a mile and six for the first time, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Andrew Slattery and was pushed along in third from the three furlong pole.

She was soon ridden in pursuit of the leaders and got to the front inside the final 100 yards, going on from there to prevail by a length and a quarter. Millford Sound (14/1) ran a brave race from the front, but ultimately had to settle for second under Rory Cleary for Tony Mullins. Loudest Whisper (10/1) was seven lengths back in third, while Shoulda Lied (8/1) completed the places in fourth. Pearl Warrior and Hey Little Boy were the other co-favourites and they finished fifth and twelfth respectively.

"She nearly has us broke at this stage because we've backed her a few times!" said Meade.

"All she wants is a trip, she wants two miles actually. She just keeps going and going.

"We were putting her down as being un-genuine but it might be that she just needs the trip.

"She'll probably continue on at a distance. Even though she's very small we have schooled her and it's quite possible that she'll run over hurdles early on if she doesn't get sold.

"We'll try and get a few pounds back with her now if we can."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Hey Little Boy (GER), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

C.D. Maxwell, rider of Construction trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson