The Tipperary Town EBF Maiden over seven furlongs produced a real upset last evening when 10-1 chance Always Rainbows, the outsider of the Kevin Prendergast pair, romped home in the hands of Declan McDonogh from Aidan O'Brien's representitive, 2-5 chance Bargello and Mick Kinane.
'Kevin wasn't feeling the best so he stayed at home but I'd say he's a bit better after that,' said stable spokesman Gareth McCann after the gelded son of Rainbows For Life carried the colours of Chryss O'Reilly to a comprehensive victory on his racecourse debut with stable-companion El-Libab back in third.
Earlier Mick Kinane, aboard Akebono, prevailed by the minimum margin over light-weight Ponda Rosa in thrilling finish to the five furlong handicap. 'Our last three wins have been by a short head so the Gods are with us,' said Curragh trainer Declan Gillespie.
Goffs Land Rover bumper heroine Winning Jenny battled on gamely for Fran Flood to upset hot favourite Theseus in the 2m1f Novice Hurdle, after which trainer Francis Flood, father of the successful rider, said, ' We'll mix it with her and if the ground has a bit of cut she'll run at Galway but more likely Listowel.'
Another gamble went astray half-an-hour later in the three mile handicap hurdle when the Christy-Roche-trained Bannow Bay, supported from 7-2 to 7-4, trailed in eleventh behind Kenty Riordan's It's Sharing, who weaved her way through the field under David Casey to sweep into the lead on the run-in.
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