King's Opera provided the highlight of a very successful weekend for Curragh trainer Michael Grassick when taking the featured Murphys Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle as the Killarney May meeting got off to a showery start.
Ruby Walsh just got the better of his great rival Paul Carberry in this 55,000 euro event when just holding off Jolly Moonbeam in a thrilling finish, with the pair pulling eight lengths clear of the remainder. 'I thought the ground (good to yielding) was going against her with the heavy showers, and Ruby said she just got away with it. The Galway Hurdle is the main summer objective. We bought her as a foal with the plan to sell her on, and still have her five years later,' said Grassick, who saddled his first treble at Navan the previous Sunday, and sent out a further four winners this weekend.
Davids Lad was an easy to back 4/6 favourite for the three runner conditions chase, but was beaten before three out although he did stay on in the closing stages under Timmy Murphy to finish within eight lengths of Garvivonnian. Tony Martin said, 'I was encouraged the way he galloped on after the last, and we'll put him away now for the Galway Plate.'
Luisa Williams, who took the leading lady rider title last season with four wins, opened her account for the new campaign when producing top-weight Wensum Dancer on the wide outside in the straight to take the mile and a half lady riders handicap. 'She's been covered by Second Empire, and we'll try to win another race before she's retired,' said trainer Tom Hogan.
Black Church Lad led approaching the final flight under Timmy Murphy to take the two and a half miles handicap hurdle, and trainer Michael Hourigan commented, 'The owners are keen to go chasing, but hopefully he can win another hurdle before going over fences.'
Dolphins View could revert to the Flat at Clonmel next Sunday in the two miles Tipperary Cup after making all under Alan Donoghue in the four-year-old maiden hurdle. 'Her jumping has improved and she stays well,' said trainer Eamonn Sheehy.
Barry Geraghty sent Master Badsworth to the front after three out to take the handicap chase, while John Levins added to his only previous winner for Les Eyre on the Flat in Britain when successfully partnering the Charlie Swan-trained Oodachee in the bumper.
Alan Magee
