Noel Meade is considering a tilt at the Galway Plate with Fnan who landed the handicap chase at Tipperary under a confidence-inspiring ride by Paul Carberry.
The seven-year-old gelding hugged the rail entering the straight to strike the front at the second last, and quickly went clear to beat Goldstreet by three and a half lengths. 'He got some ride!' said a beaming Meade before adding, 'He's a Flat horse and not too big, and just doesn't jump quick enough. He really needs fast ground, and we'll probably come back here on Sunday week for the Plate Trial. I'm not sure if the Plate would suit him but he could still take his chance.'
Goss may bid for a hat-trick at Galway after making all under Barry Geraghty in the two miles winners chase. Paddy The Duke was ridden to get within two lengths at the second last, but the six-year-old grey was only pushed out by the former champion to record a six lengths victory. 'He jumped great, and couldn't do any more than he did,' said J P McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.
There was a terrific finish to the two and a half miles beginners chase where the Mark Grant-ridden Masteroffoxhounds was left in front on the run-in to beat Bassett Tiger by half a length. Western Rainbow was a length in front when coming to a standstill after a mistake at the last, with Robert Power doing exceptionally well to stay in the saddle.
'That trip is plenty far enough for him but he has plenty of class and needs good ground. He'll go for the GPT amateur handicap at Galway, and then novice chasing at the Festival meetings,' said trainer David Wachman.
Aidan O'Brien saddled his 12th individual two-year-old winner of the season when Born In America landed the odds in the five furlongs maiden. However Colm O'Donoghue was made to work hard on the Danzig colt as main market rival Solved responded gamely under pressure from the furlong pole and was only headed inside the final 50 yards.
'He's got loads of pace and will be a lovely horse next year,' said O'Donoghue, while Solved's trainer Pat Doyle commented, 'I was thinking of going for the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood beforehand and he could still go there.'
Fantasticat (4/7 to 2/5) was heavily supported to double up for O'Brien in the seven furlongs maiden. However Pat Cosgrave's mount could find no extra as the Jim Bolger-trained Danticat was produced between horses by Kevin Manning in the final furlong to beat newcomer Castledale by a length with the hot-pot a neck further back in third.
'He could be a slow learner, like his full-sister Atomic Cat who ran four times before winning, and we will try to upgrade him,' said Bolger.
The Pat Carey-trained Clare Rose recorded her first win in over two years when ridden clear inside the final furlong by Pat Smullen to beat The Red Fellow by two and a half lengths in the nine furlongs handicap. 'She got a virus last year and really lost her form. She was entitled to win there after a good run at Leopardstown last Saturday, and may run again at Killarney or Leopardstown next week,' said Carey.
Davy Condon was given a four days suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency and unnecessarily on fifth-placed Quest For Peace. He will also have to attend RACE for instruction on proper use of the whip.
A gamble was foiled in the seven furlongs handicap when Westfield Star, available at 16/1 in the morning and backed from 10/1 to 11/2 on the course, was headed in the final strides by Irish Style. Fran Berry's mount appeared a forlorn hope entering the final furlong but finished with a real flourish to score by a neck. 'She's in foal and that seems to have improved her. She's entered again at Leopardstown next Wednesday,' said trainer Ger Keane.
Alan Magee
