Lavery's horses really flying

Sheila Lavery trained her third winner in five days when Secret Wizard (11s into 8s) built on the promise of a Clonmel fourth placing 19 days back to win the Thomastown Handicap at Gowran.

Ms Lavery sent out Hillcrest Fire to win at Cork on Friday evening and Twin Star followed up for the Summerhill County Meath-based trainer at Navan the following day. Both those were ridden by Ronan Whelan.

Whelan himself was bidding for a three-timer on this card on the Patrick Prendergast-trained Canary Row

That fellow had to settle for third place here as the Chris Hayes ridden Secret Wizard got to the front over a furlong out and went on to see off the staying-on Heartful by half a length.

"He loves those up, down, roundy tracks as they seem to keep him interested. He'd two bad runs at the Curragh, while some of his best runs have been at Galway. They're his types of tracks," said Ms Lavery.

"Chris said he took a blow at the furlong pole so he should improve again. We'll keep looking at handicaps and more of the same."

C.P. Hoban, rider of Total Demolition trained by J.Larkin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was squeezed close home.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Total Demolition, trained by J.Larkin, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have grazed the inside of its left hind cannon and coronary band on post race examination.

O.J. Orr, rider of Beau Satchel (GB) trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was tight for room in the straight.

(AM & EM)