Malinka (noseband) is ridden out by Pat Smullen to beat I'll Be Your Clown and Gary Carroll© Photo Healy Racing
The Dermot Weld trained Malinka bounced back from after a disappointing effort at Galway, as she took the Pyramid Bookmakers Handicap under Pat Smullen.
Fifth on her debut at Gowran last year, the daughter of Pivotal then got off the mark on her next start at Limerick in April, when upped in trip to a mile and three.
She was fourteenth of sixteen when dropped to seven furlongs at Galway, and back to a mile and a quarter this evening, she was sent off a 7/1 chance.
Having raced mainly in fourth, she was pushed along approaching the straight. She was ridden and closed on the leaders from the two furlong pole, getting to the front a furlong out, staying on well from there to score by a length and a half. I'll Be Your Clown who was sent off a well-backed joint-favourite at 4/1 (11's this morning, and from 6's on-course), finished second under Gary Carroll for Andy Oliver, while Zorba The Greek was two lengths back in third under Declan McDonogh for Charles O'Brien. Elm Grove who was as short as 7/4 in early shows, was the other joint-favourite, and she was seventh with Billy Lee in the saddle for Willie McCreery.
Pat Smullen said afterwards: "Seven furlongs was way too short for her the last day. She's still a bit green but has a willing attitude, and should improve again."
The winner is owned by Moyglare Stud Farm, and she is out of Group 3 winner Mad About You, who was beaten by just a head in the 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in 2008.
STEWARDS REPORTS
C.D. Hayes, rider of Taqaseem (GB) trained by Kevin Prendergast, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was hampered after 100 yards and after the first bend.
The Stewards requested a report from D. K. Weld, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Malinka, placed first, as compared with its most recent run. Pat O'Brien, authorised representative for the trainer stated that this horse may have found the trip too sharp at Galway last time and returning to a longer trip today may have contributed to a return to form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined To Choose trained by Thomas Gibney, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
