Davy Condon is mounting a strong challenge to reigning champion Tadhg O'Shea in the apprentice jockeys title race, and he moved onto the 21 winner mark for the season - just two behind O'Shea - when Macs Valley easily justified odds-on favouritism in the two miles Rathronan Maiden at Clonmel yesterday afternoon.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was always travelling well, and headed Teknash a furlong out to score by a comfortable two and a half lengths. 'He will go back over hurdles at Tipperary next week, and will continue to mix it with Listowel a likely target after that. He jumps really well, and should make a nice chaser next summer,' said Mullins.
Former apprentice champion Tom Queally was also on the mark aboard Majectic Jenny in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race. Michael Cunningham's charge was always prominent, and rallied in the final furlong to touch off Ela Marathona by a short-head. This 16/1 victory marked the end of most jackpot bets, with one lucky Tote patron eventually scooping a dividend of e15,469. The odds-on favourite Kenyane finished a further length and a half back in third, and was subsequently claimed for e23,551 by Curragh trainer Pat Morris.
Shay Barry partnered a rare winner on the Flat when Nutwood struck the front inside the final furlong to beat the front-running Dellsboy by two and a half lengths in division one of the September Handicap. Grecian Myth also led in the closing stages under Timmy Houlihan in division two for a two lengths verdict over The Flying Pig.
Paumafi looked set to land the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle when poaching a big lead entering the straight. However she tired between the final two hurdles, and evens favourite Thepointaboutitis benefitted from a strong drive by Norman Williamson to beat Leading Springs by a length and a half, with Paumafi the same distance back in third.
Frances Crowley saddled her fifth winner in just over a week when Octagonal got up close home under Ruby Walsh to touch off Noeleen's Choice in the Munster Handicap Hurdle.
Alan Magee
