Curragh trainer Jim Gorman and rider Gordon 'Flash' Power captured the honours at Clonmel yesterday, compliments of a 142/1 opening race double via Biddy Blackhurst and Shoeless Joe in both divisions of the Suir Handicap.
Cera Sifayra was all the rage for the opener, her odds tumbling from 5/1 to 7/2 favourite, but it wasn't to be a profitable start for her supporters when 12/1 chance Biddy Blackhurst kept on well up front to hold Tim Doyle's filly by three-quarters-of-a-length.
'They all seem healthy and are coming into form,' said Gorman afterwards.His sentiments proved an accurate pointer for the next when light-weight Shoeless Joe held another market leader Ronni Pancake by a rapidly diminishing head. 'He would prefer better ground but when they are in such good form you tend to get away with things like that. The blinkers and tongue strap helped also.'
A torrential downpour made conditions for the Roscrea EBF Maiden virtually unraceable but for those who rowed in with Dermot Weld's Nashwan Rose the outcome was sweet when Pat Smullen partnered the 2/1 joint favourite to a smooth victory over the fast-finishing Really.
Kevin Prendergast brought his seasonal tally to six when Seifi landed the Comeragh Maiden over ten furlongs in the hands of Pat Cosgrave while Jim Bolger's Alserna drew steadily clear from the two furlong marker to slam her rivals under Sean Cleary in the Fethard Handicap.
The Cashel Handicap over two miles produced another facile winner when The Culdee simply toyed with his rivals under an ultra confident Tom Queally to defeat Gaysian by an effortless three lengths.
Francis Flood has another handicap at Wexford on Friday evening in mind for the six-year-old who provided 17-year-old Queally with his 48th career success.
Dick Donohoe's Camden Kate, supported from 8/1 to 6/1 swept into the lead at the two furlong pole to come home with four-and-a-half lengths to spare over The Paddiad in the bumper.
