Whelan completes 27/1 double on progressive Ameerat Jumaira

Ronan Whelan completed a quick 27/1 double at the Curragh as Ameerat Jumaira took the Neville O’Byrne Memorial Irish EBF Fillies Handicap in fine style.

The daughter of Australia was making it four wins in the space of just over a year for the Conyngham Lodge duo of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins and was following up a valuable success last month in the Red God Handicap at Dundalk.

The 6/1 (from 9/1) chance travelled well to lead over a furlong out and soon asserted before keeping on well to score by a length and three-quarters. Belhaven took the runner-up spot with Gangster Granny a further two and a half lengths back in third.

Halford said, “We kept her in training thinking this year could be profitable for her. He first run back was lovely in Roscommon and it all went to pot in Ballinrobe.

“Ronan said she didn’t handle it all and we ran her at Dundalk to give her a bit of confidence. She likes a level track and I knew she would float around Dundalk and that more than worked.

“She was in great form today and you would be impressed the way she quickened up.

“We’ll stick her in a few of the handicaps at Champions Weekend and ultimately if we could get a bit of black type for her somewhere down the line.”

Whelan was also on the mark in the previous six-furlong maiden aboard impressive newcomer Tina’s Indian.