Coolcullen handler Jim Bolger captured the training honours at a bleak and sparsely attended Navan yeserday when he completed a double, the highlight coming in the EBF Fillies Race when Curragh maiden scorer Snippets confirmed her superiority over Dabousiya by the minimum margin.
Dabousiya, despite having to find more than five lengths when fifth to Jim Bolger's charge at headquarters last month, was sent off the warm 11/10 favourite on the back of her recent runaway Gowran maiden success but value-seeking punters got their just reward when Kevin Manning kept the 5/2 shot up to her task to score narrowly.
Earlier Bolger and Manning combined in the EBF Race when the blinkered Wild Floridian, helped by the running rail, stuck to her job well to hold the persistent challenge of Fearn Royal and in the process notch up her second victory for the Ballylinch Stud.
Former jump rider Martin Lynch, whose interest in the racing world now involves a marketing role with ITM and his bloodstock business MML Bloodstock, was responsible for purchasing the winner of the opening EBF Fillies Maiden when Roisin's Star scored in the hands of Wayne Smith.
Trained by Ger Lyons for Caragh retailer James Cummins, the Accordion filly described by Lyons as having 'loads of bottle' kept on well up front inside the final furlong to hold newcomer Arctic Ice and easy-to-back market leader A Thousand Stars.'We thought that if she produced her recent Curragh run she would take all the beating today and thankfully she did,' said Lyons afterwards.
Wayne Smith later completed a 31/1 double when Freya ran out the half-length winner of the Garlow Cross Handicap over the minimum trip for the in-form yard of Pat Flynn. Ridyan was the subject of warm support from 7/2 to 3/1 in the ring, notably from part-owner Mike Futter, but he could finish only 5th after Monalee Lass (5c in BP only) was withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls.
Michael Grassick, who saddled the runner-up, went one place better in the next when Triton Dancer improved on her creditable debut effort at Tipperary when accounting for fast-finishing Jo Must Go in the EBF Median Maiden.
'She did it well and she'll go next for the 200,000 Foal Levy Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday October 13th, ' said the Curragh hander, who trains the daughter of Hector Protector for Galway businessman Joe Higgins.
Jim Gorman's 10/1 shot Lady Esther prevailed in the finale under Declan McDonogh much to the joy of one lucky Jackpot who picked up a dividend of 3,622.40 for his troubles.
C'est Fantastique (33/1) which finished a never nearer 8th here was the subject of a running and riding enquiry and following the investigation permit holder John McConnell was fined 600 and rider Paul Scallan was banned for 7 days.
The horse, having her first run in Ireland after competing in handicap company for Owen O'Neill in Britain and a winning twice in Germany as a 3yo, was also suspended for 42 days.
