Narragansett (green) beats Bear Profit © Photo Healy Racing
Emily Costello partnered her first winner on the Flat when 20/1 chance Narragansett took the Glenroyal Hotel Student Derby Handicap.
The Inns Of Court gelding had shown some promise in a couple of early-summer maidens and, returning from a break, was given a patient steer in mid-division on the inner. Switched to the centre of the track in the straight, the three-year-old gradually closed on the leaders and led inside the final 100 yards to beat Bear Profit by three-parts of a length.
“He had a pelvis injury. He had three nice runs in maidens but I thought he might need the run today to be honest,” said in-form winning trainer Andy Slattery.
“He's ran a nice race. He didn't show us much at two but he seems to be improving and going forward.
“He belongs to John Hyde, who trains for Sheikh Hissa and used to ride as an apprentice in Ireland. He's based in Dubai.
“It was a great ride. I told her to hang on to him a bit and she said he had a blow at the two. We thought he'd be a bit short.
“She rode a bumper winner for me last year and hasn't had many rides, that's just her second winner on the track.
“She rides out for me when she's not in college, herself and her sister Laura come down. They are tough women from Clare!
“Her father Dermot was champion point-to-point rider a few years ago. It's in the blood.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
