Donal Murphy
Berry doubles up on Princess Aloof
Princess Aloof is ridden out by Fran Berry to beat Laviniad and Pat Smullen
© Photo Healy Racing
Fran Berry completed a double on the card at Tipperary this evening as he guided the Jessica Harrington trained Princess Aloof home in front in the Meadowview Stable Handicap.
The three-year-old daughter of Big Bad Bob won twice last season as a juvenile but failed to score on eight starts this term before today.
Having dropped eleven pounds down the handicap since the start of the year and tried over a mile and one for the first time she was sent off an 8/1 chance having opened at 10’s on-course.
Settled in mid-division she improved into fourth on the outer after halfway and made further progress into second as they approached the straight.
She was ridden to lead under two furlong and kept on well from there to score by three parts of a length.
The Willie Mullins trained Laviniad was sent off the 7/2 favourite and she finished second under Pat Smullen while Brog Deas Nua was a further length and three parts back in third under Conor Hoban for Pat Flynn at 11/1. Carenza was coming with her challenge over a furlong out but she was pulled up and eased by Colm O’Donoghue as if something had gone amiss and she finished last.
STEWARDS REPORTS
C. O'Donoghue, rider of Carenza, trained by David Marnane, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost her action in the straight and was eased.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Carenza, trained by David Marnane, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.