Review FAIRYHOUSE 29TH MAY Johannesburg started his career in the Ratoath EBF Maiden last year, and not surprisingly stable-companion Newfoundland was sent off the 2/5 favourite to also make a winning debut in this juvenile event. However the son of Storm Cat gave odds-on punters a fright as Michael Kinane produced the $3.3m Keeneland Yearling Sale purchase to challenge in the straight, needing to be ridden out to beat Penalty Clause by a head.Laoch Na Mara showed a nice turn of foot approaching the furlong pole in the Ashbourne Median Auction Race, quickening clear under Kevin Manning to beat Bali Breeze by four-and-a-half-lengths. 'The run at the Curragh last Saturday brought him on, and the ground was not quite as tacky here,' said Myles Sutherland, representing trainer Jim Bolger.Bolger and Manning looked sure to complete a quick double in the following Garristown Handicap where Capel Street was three lengths clear entering the final furlong. However the Erins Isle gelding was reeled in close home by the David Mason-ridden Bartra Rock.The home bend proved a crucial factor in the outcome of the Curkeen Rath EBF Fillies Maiden, with a number of horses brought wide by Prime Opportunity including runner-up Ripple Of Pride. The incident allowed Miss Koen a clear passage to strike the front early in the straight, and she was driven out by Pat Cosgrave to hold on by a-length-and-a-half.In The Gods was all the rage for the Monard Handicap, and Tom Queally elected to set a strong pace on the six-year-old gelding from leaving the starting stalls. However he weakened quickly inside the final quarter mile, with Nick The Butler coming from last to first in the straight to beat Windsor Dancer by half-a-length.Sea Hymn was enterprisingly ridden by last season's champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea to take the Baltrasna Handicap, ridden to lead before the straight and staying on well to beat Indy Carr by an eased down length. 'All he does is stay, and we decided to make more use of him today. He will continue to mix it between hurdles and the Flat,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.Alan Magee
