Review BALLINROBE 27th May

Smart bumper performer Teach Nua failed to translate his progressive recent form to the level when finishing only third in the Treacys Pharmacies (C&G) Median Auction Maiden.

Dermot Weld's odds-on favourite had to be niggled from some way out by Pat Smullen and found disappointingly little in the home straight, fading tamely.

In contrast, his main market rival Trust In Me appeared to be lit up by first-time blinkers. The 7-2 chance shot straight into the lead in the hands of Wayne Lordan and he was never headed, sticking to his guns well to pass the post a length and a half in front of More Time Tim.

Smullen had better luck when bringing Stylish Bid through horses to lift the prize in the Eamon Sheridan Groundworks & Plant Hire Handicap.

Michael Fitzgerald's grey mare is hardly a punter's friend. The six-year-old was winless in 29 attempts prior to this event and that record didn't look like altering when she was settled nearer last than first.

But as the leaders tired in the final furlong, the gaps opened kindly for Smullen and he brought his willing partner with a well-timed run to beat Fabled by a length and a quarter at the rewarding odds of 7-1. Arondo fared best of the front-runners in third.

Seamus Heffernan fired in another winner when giving Ajman a strong ride to land the Connacht Telegraph Handicap.

The 10-1 chance hadn't shown much in three starts in maiden company but his rider, still on a high from steering Halfway To Heaven to 1000 Guineas glory, made plenty of use of him in the one-mile-one furlong event and he disputed the running with Heaven Bound.

He saw off that rival rounding the turn and responded admirably to Heffernan's urgings to beat the staying-on Windmill Lass by half a length, with Drunken Sailor third.

© www.irish-racing.com