Happy Anniversary and Donnacha O'Brien are in control from Rose Angel at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Kilkenny trainer Dick Donohoe enjoyed a welcome winner as 7Ib claimer Donnacha O'Brien continued his rise up the ranks on Happy Anniversary in the www.navanracecourse .ie Handicap.
It's nearly a year since the same Intikhab mare gave Donohoe his last winner, in a Dundalk 47 to 65, and having been lightly raced in the interim she led here two furlongs out on the way to a three length win over the gambled-on favourite Rose Angel
"She's been unlucky with a few injuries and has missed the first half of last year and this year when she had a stress fracture of her cannon-bone," said Donohoe.
"We're only getting going with her lately. The ease in the ground was a plus and even though she has won on the all-weather she handles soft very well.
"She's in at Dundalk on Friday and seeing as the season is nearly over she might go there. Then we might pull up with her.
"She could be covered in the spring and we might get soft ground for her then."
C. O'Donoghue, rider of Rockview Emperor trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left throughout.
The Stewards requested a report from R.Donohoe, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Happy Anniversary, winner, as compared with its recent most recent run at the Curragh on 12th October where she finished 14th of 24 runners, beaten 14 lengths.
The trainer reported that at the Curragh, the filly paid the price of being ridden handily in a race where the field went too fast, and she faded badly late on. Today, ridden more patiently, on soft ground which she has shown to handle well in the past, may have brought about any improvement in form. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
(GC & EM)
