Monaghan trainer Oliver Brady recorded his biggest win on the Flat when Balapour came from virtually last to first in the straight under Tom Queally to take the e65,000 Ulster Harp Lager Derby.
Brady is well known to racegoers for his exuberant post-race celebrations, and he didn't let those assembled around the parade ring down after the dual purpose four-year-old-gelding stretched clear in the final furlong to beat American Gothic by five-and-a-half-lengths.
'I told Tom to keep him last all the way, and then press the button going downhill at the two furlong marker. We will be looking at Galway now, and may go for the big double of the GPT Handicap and the Galway Hurdle,' said Brady, who revealed that he's 'recovering from a bout of cancer a few months ago' and that racing kept him going.
The EBF Coolmore Stud Ulster Oakes Fillies Handicap was the main supporting event on this all Flat card, and Bubble N Squeak proved the easiest winner of the afternoon when cruising clear in the straight under Michael Hussey for a runaway success.
John Murtagh added to his four winner haul at Royal Ascot this week when giving Lowlander a strong ride to overcome Gemini Guest by a length in the Eastwood Bookmakers Handicap. Sheikh Mohammed's home-bred will bid for a quick follow up under a 5lb penalty at Tipperary on Wednesday, and trainer John Oxx said, 'He likes a test of stamina, and the softer the ground the better.'
David Bean made a welcome return to the winners enclosure when partnering Desert Hill to land division one of the Belfast Food & Wine Festival Handicap. The 'beanpole' six foot Celbridge jockey had been sidelined for the past few year's through serious illness, and was bridging a near four year gap since his last success. John Geoghegan's charge was produced from off the pace by Bean (37) to lead a furlong out for a two lengths verdict over Inishmot Lady.
Banrion struck the front well over a furlong out under Pat Cosgrave in division two, and kept on gamely under pressure to beat Windsor Dancer by three-quarters-of-a-length. 'She has been working well recently, and really loves that soft ground,' said trainer Pat Martin.
Curragh trainer Kevin Prendergast made the 35 minute helicopter trip north worthwhile when on hand to greet juvenile Seaforde back to the winners enclosure after the Tattersalls Ireland Maiden. Declan McDonogh's mount led inside the final 100 yards to beat Lazer Lass by a neck, and Prendergast commented: 'He did well to win as he's a dry ground horse, and will probably be aimed at a nursery.'
Alan Magee
