Review BANNON BAY DEFIES 10LB PENALTY

Bannow Bay defied a 10lb penalty to take the featured Dawn Milk Handicap Hurdle and, in the process, completed a double for trainer Christy Roche.

The 5yo gelding, successful here over 3m on Thursday, was patiently ridden by Alan Crowe to lead before the last for an 8L win over Macabeo.

Crowe (18), successful 3 times as a Flat apprentice, only partnered his first winner since switching to the amateur ranks aboard Rightontime here on Monday.

Khairabar (Paul Moloney) provided the opening leg of the Roche double when snatching victory in the final stride of the novice chase.

Moloney did really well to keep the partnership intact after a mistake at the last, and he galvanised the grey to edge out Misty Moments in a thrilling finish.

`After the mistake at the last I said that`s it, as he has not been the greatest of battlers in the past,` said Roche, who will probably aim the 6yo at a winners chase in Tralee.

Colm`s Rock, eighth in the Plate here on Wednesday, defied topweight in the 2m6f handicap chase under a determined drive from Ruby Walsh.

`The Kerry National at Listowel is a possible target but he really needs fast ground,` said trainer Frances Crowley afterwards.

Hadrian`s Wall (2/5-2/7-4/9f) was uneasy in the market for the 2yo maiden, and the Aidan O`Brien-trained newcomer could find no extra from the home turn to finish third.

Backcraft and Monty Wolley (14/1-12/1) dominated inside the final furlong, with the latter responding to a typically strong ride by Stephen Craine to score by 1 1/2L.

Like A Dream, which cost Fethard permit-holder Matty Tynan just 2,000gns, followed up her runaway Bellewstown win by making all in the nursery.

The topweight was driven out in the straight by Seamus Heffernan to hold Gerobies Girl by a neck, and will go next for the Listed Debutantte Stakes at the Curragh (Aug 20).

Ballintry Guest (Danny Grant) swept clear approaching the final bend to beat Gamekeeper by 3L in the 2m handicap, while Rua Lass (Karl Wyse) took the bumper in fine style.

Records were again broken on the penultimate day of the Festival, with the Tote aggregate up 94K on the corresponding day last year at #487,316. The crowd of 16,592 is over 2,000 up.