Beau Michael (cheekpieces) on his way to victory from Sounds Of Thunder (left of winner) in second© Photo Healy Racing
The versatile Beau Michael recorded his first win since October of 2010 as he took the opening 1m 6f Ladies Day 26th June Handicap at Ballinrobe this evening, for his trainer Adrian ‘Ado’ McGuinness with Ian Brennan in the saddle.
The 8yo son of Medicean has been a great servant to connections and was recording his tenth victory for them, while he also won one in Folkestone back in 2007 when trained by Walter Swinburn.
Despite being on a winless run of twenty-one starts he had been running consistent of late and finished second on his last start at Clonmel in a 2m flat handicap just three parts of a length behind Headford Flyer.
Recent Wexford winner Star Of Aragon (4/1) attempted to make all this evening under Pat Smullen but he could find no more inside the final furlong.
Beau Michael hit the front and fended off the challenge and the 7/2 favourite Sounds Of Thunder for Gordon Elliott and Andrew Thornton, going on to score by a length and a quarter at 13/2.
Sounds Of Thunder had to settle for second while Devils Bit plugged on to take third a further length and a quarter back at 14/1 for John O’Shea and Shane Gorey.
Winning trainer Adrian McGuinness said afterwards: "Its a long time since he has seen the No 1 spot but he has been very consistent.
"His owners wanted to sell him but we convinced them against it. He has been a great servant.
"Galway will be his aim now and will probably go for a flat handicap early in the week before going for a two and a half mile handicap hurdle at the weekend. He is a tough sort."
Beau Michael clearly has a fondness for Ballinrobe as he was recording his third victory at the Co Mayo venue on his third start at the track.
There was sting in the tail for winning rider Ian Brennan afterwards as the Stewards suspended him for one day for careless riding after an incident early in the race involving his mount and Star Of Aragon.
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
