Review THURLES 30TH SEP

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen followed on from their two-year-old Listed victory with Gaff at Fairyhouse on Wednesday with a 13/1 double via another two Rosewell House juveniles at Thurles.

Mermaid Island, fourth to John Ells in the mud at Listowel last week, appreciated the better ground in the mile auction maiden by striking the front over a furlong out to beat All Woman by a comfortable three lengths.

The Silken Glider Stakes at the Curragh in just over three weeks is a likely target for the daughter of Mujadil, while another Listed race - the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown in late October - is on the cards for Merger, who scored in decisive fashion on his debut in the mile maiden.

Lord Nelson, the 5/4 favourite, set the pace until headed by the winner inside the final quarter mile, and the American-bred colt stretched clear in the final furlong to beat the staying on Piano Man by five lengths.

Aidan O'Brien saddled three runners in the mile and a half maiden, and it was the outsider of the trio Coconut Beach (14/1 but paid over 45/1 on the Tote) that proved successful in the hands of Pat Cosgrave. The Sadler's Wells newcomer was being ridden along well before the home turn but to his credit kept finding more, and got on top in the final furlong to beat Akilana by two lengths.

The Ballydoyle yard was also fancied to take the two miles conditions race with High Country but the well-backed 4/7 favourite could find no extra approaching the furlong pole. Sandy Owen came home strongest for Michael Kinane to beat Strong Project by a length and a half, with the odds-on shot the same distance further back in third.

Trainer Pat Fahy nominated the Cesarewitch and the Leopardstown November Handicap as upcoming targets on the Flat and also indicated a switch to jumping in the near future. 'We will school him over fences in between races on the Flat and then be ready to go chasing after Leopardstown. He's got a real chasing pedigree so, if he jumps a fence, he's going to go places.'

The lightly-raced Rajakana got off the mark in no uncertain terms on her handicap debut when taking the lady riders handicap in runaway style. Sinead O'Keeffe's mount drew clear from over a furlong out to beat the front-running Kerry Way by seven lengths. 'Now that she's in good form we may go again before the sales. She's in the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale,' said trainer John Oxx.

Rathgowney Lad (6/11-9/2f) rewarded support in the mile handicap, getting the better of a protracted duel in the straight with Music Celebre to prevail by half a length under Fran Berry.

Alan Magee