Irene Oakes suffered the ups and downs of racing on the fourth and final day of the Killarney Festival when receiving a painful kick from Glandore who subsequently went on to land the opening Dawn Fresh Orange Juice Maiden.
The Persian Bold filly lashed out at the Curragh trainer in the saddling area striking her on the thigh, and she was later taken to Tralee General Hospital for precautionary x-rays. Glandore gave rider Pat Shanahan no worries in the mile and three furlongs event, travelling sweetly to lead a furlong out for a three-quarters-of-a-length victory over Sharena.
The Guinness Galway Hurdle could be next on the agenda for Aleemdar after the five-year-old gelding took the Great Southern Hotel Novice Hurdle in fine style under Ruby Walsh. Michael O'Brien's charge led before the final flight, and quickened up nicely to beat Jannie De Vere by two-and-a-half-lengths.
'Michael felt he would need to win today in order to go for the Galway Hurdle. He's just started to come right, and has finally got his ground,' said stable representative Denis Cullen.
Walsh later doubled up aboard Moss Run in the Kerry Spring Water Handicap Hurdle, jumping to the front two out to beat Catch Me Dreaming by four-and-a-half-lengths.
Ski Jump justified strong support (7/2 to 2/1) in the Gleneagle Hotel Handicap Hurdle, cruising to the front three out under Paul Carberry and eventually beating Gatso by a comfortable length-and-a-half. 'She's in foal to Supreme Leader, and will go now to Galway for something similar. She was very sick over the winter when a lot of my horses had a bug, and has taken a good while to come right,' said trainer Michael Hourigan.
Impending motherhood has also had a beneficial effect on Miss Information who was another to cheer punters when landing division one of the Kerry Spring Water Handicap Hurdle. Kieran Kelly's mount made all in this two-and-three-quarter-mile event, and kept on well in the straight to beat Admiral Nelson by three lengths. 'She is in foal to Exit To Nowhere, and will probably have one more run perhaps at Ballinrobe next week,' said trainer Edward O'Grady.
Lucky Three, soundly beaten behind Miss Moore over course and distance the previous evening, readily landed the Murphy Mitsubishi Motors Handicap under a confident ride from Davy Condon. 'I wasn't happy with the ride she got here yesterday, but Davy was just brilliant. I gave permission for him to ride 5lb overweight, and he's easily value for that,' said trainer Philip Rothwell.
Miss Lauren Dee was sent to the front off the home turn by Danny Grant in the Dawn Milk Run Handicap, and rallied under pressure inside the final furlong to beat Pas Possible by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Alan Magee
