Casanova bounces back to form

Casanova recorded his first win on Irish soil, as he kept on strongly to take the Donnellys Of Barna Rated Race.

A dual-winner in the UK when trained by John Gosden, the son of Frankel was bought for 15,000 pounds at Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale last October.

Third on his debut for Adrian McGuinness and Dooley Thoroughbreds at Dundalk in January, the five-year-old had been ultimately disappointing since, with his mark falling from 92 to 79.

Available at 25/1 in early shows, the bay gelding was eventually sent off an 11/1 chance under Chris Hayes.

Settled towards rear on the inner, he took closer order and was switched wide entering the straight. Pushed along to challenge from the furlong pole, he was ridden to the front inside the final 150 yards and readily stretched clear, going on to score by three-and-a-half lengths. River Derwent who was sent off the 4/1 favourite, had to settle for second under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien, while the hat-trick seeking Imposing Supreme (9/2) was two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

Chris Hayes said in the aftermath: "It was my first time riding him and we went down early, so I presumed he can be a little keen. Ado told me to sit fourth or fifth, he slotted in behind them and he travelled at his ease. I was only waiting for a gap and I thought he quickened up quite well.

"He handled the ground and would get a bit further but would have to settle as well as he did today."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into an incident about seven furlongs from the finish involving Dedillon ridden by A.J. Slattery, unplaced, Doolin Dancer ridden by J.M. Sheridan, unplaced and Theophile ridden by K.J. Manning, unplaced, where it appeared that Theophile was tight for room and received an amount of contact. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence K.J. Manning stated that at a steady pace the race tightened up and he received pressure from his outside. A.J. Slattery stated that he was racing on the rail and next to Theophile when he noticed that animal getting tight for space and he gave him a chance to shift inward. J.M. Sheridan stated that he was a half length down on Jungle Cove when the runners tightened from the outside and he took back at that point. Having viewed the recording of that part of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that any interference caused was accidental in nature and took no further action. Mr Niall Rooney, Acting Steward, absented himself from this enquiry.

S.M. Crosse, rider of River Derwent (GB) trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount raced too keen early on.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes