Micko's Dream has been a revelation this year for the Sport Racing Club, comprising many members of the Cork prison service, but for seventeen Mountjoy-based prison wardens, the victory of light-weight Rosswellan at Thurles yesterday will be the toast of the Dublin jail over the coming days.
Registered under the name Total Recall Racing Club, a reference to working overtime for the enthusiastic members, the 10/1 shot took it up under Garrett Cotter over the third last and simply toyed with the opposition to score with the minimum of fuss from Some Buck.
'He gallops like a horse who would like a cut in the ground but the good ground really did make a difference to him today. The owners have been very patient and I'm delighted for those who travelled down here today,' said Curragh trainer Michael Halford.
Charlie Swan's Gonemoggelease and John O'Meara held on by a diminishing three-quarters of a length to defeat Centralisation in the 1st division of the QR Maiden Hurdle but it was the finish of the runner-up that caught the eye and the stewards attention.
Tenderly handled until staying on strongly after the final flight, rider Dennis Cullen was banned for 28 days for not allowing the horse to run on its merits while permit holder John Coleman was fined #800. The horse which was sent off at 10/1 was banned for 42 days.
Balla Sola relished the blistering surface when making all to land the featured Premier County Handicap Chase from market rival Dante's Battle. After Ruby Walsh helped the 7/4 shot to jump impeccably throughout for a comprehensive five length success, Willie Mullins remarked, 'I'm very happy with that and I'll keep him to two miles although I think he'll get two-and-a-half if he settles.'
Thomond O'Mara saddled his first winner since moving into his new yard outside Fethard when light-weight Droumleigh Lad made every yard a winning one in the hands of Willie Slattery in the 2m2f handicap hurdle.
It was a victory that really pleased O'Mara, as he explained, ' His owner Teddy O'Donovan built my new yard which has 50 boxes so I'm glad I've given him something back!'
A mistake at the last didn't help market leader Imperial Light in the opening 4yo hurdle when Paul Hourigan's mount was outgunned on the run-in by Edward O'Grady's Zawoyski and Neil Mulholland.
Mullholland found the winners enclosure again after the beginners chase when Shanty Town, trained under permit by Martin Doran, made most of the running to defeat Multeen Jet with 2/1 favourite What An Answer only fourth.
Stephen Laird (26) ended up on the floor after conjuring up a renewed winning effort aboard Philip Rothwell's Christyconcerto in the second division of the QR maiden hurdle.
Laird's saddle slipped on the run to the line and he was unshipped moments after coming home with a length to spare over Macks Hunter at the line.
BF
