The annual three day Festival meeting got underway at the Co Meath track yesterday evening, and punters enjoyed the better of exchanges in the ring including the odds-on success of Alexander Ballet in the sprint maiden.
Seamus Heffernan's mount overcame some trouble in running to gain a precious winning bracket, leading inside the final furlong to beat Princess Luna by three-quarters-of-a-length. 'She's a nicely bred filly, will come on from that run and I'll find a winners race for her next,' said Curragh handler Michael Grassick.
The Galway Hurdle is on the agenda for Patsy Veale after the John Queally-trained gelding successfully reverted to the Flat in the mile-and-three-quarters handicap. The dual purpose seven-year-old traveled strongly under Fran Berry, going to the front early in the straight to beat Berkeley Bay by a-length-and-a-half.
New Design justified good support in the opening two-year-old maiden, striking the front two furlongs out for Tadhg O'Shea to beat Aerocom Royal by two lengths. 'She ran a great race to a furlong out in a Listed race at Naas last time, and today is the first time she's got her ground (good) and trip (five furlongs),' said trainer David Wachman.
Barry Geraghty was seen to good effect aboard the well-backed Uncle Arthur in the three miles handicap hurdle, with Michael Halford's charge staying on gamely to hold the renewed effort of Putsometnby by a neck. 'He jumps, stays and must have fast ground. There should be plenty of opportunities for him over the summer,' said Halford.
Hobart Frisbey will move across the Curragh from Kevin Prendergast to Dessie Hughes' yard to start a new career over fences after edging out Palace Storm in an exciting finish to the conditions hurdle. Peter Casey picked up a four days suspension for misuse of the whip on the runner-up in the closing stages.
J P McManus was on hand to greet Artane Boys (6/4-1/1f) back to the winners enclosure after Alan Crowe's mount smoothly gained a 2L verdict over Better Look Out in division one of the bumper.
Alan Magee
