Set Barabbas Free and Curtistown fought out the finish of the seven furlongs handicap at Down Royal, and the pair are likely to renew rivalry at the same venue just 24 hours later after a length seperated the pair.
Robbie Burke recorded his 15th winner of the season as the four-year-old quickened to the front over a furlong out, and held on by a length from the gambled-on Curtistown (5/1-7/2jf). 'He loves this firm ground and is in here again tomorrow,' said Sixmilebridge trainer Joe Quinn, who has a mixed team of 12 in training and also prepares juveniles for the breeze-up sales.
Billy Lee also partnered his 15th winner of the campaign when Lily Shing Shang took the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap in decisive fashion. Pat Hughes' charge stretched clear in the final furlong to beat Inver Lady by four lengths, and the four-year-old grey may go for a similar event at Downpatrick on October 8.
Friends Hope sprung a 20/1 shock in the two-year-old claiming race, travelling sweetly under Timmy Houlihan to challenge a furlong out before ridden out to beat Glenree by half a length. The Docksider filly was later claimed by Dublin car importer Michael Wiley for e4,200.
Bella Bella made all under Pat Shanahan in the featured seven furlongs winners race, although Con Collins' charge just held on by a neck from the unlucky-in-running Mombassa.
Michael Cunningham pointed to the firm ground as the main factor in the victory of Great Chaos in the opening two miles winners' hurdle. 'The ground was too soft for him at Listowel last time,' said the Meath handler after Robert Power's mount led two out to beat Euracert by two lengths.
Chain is another suited by the 'Indian summer', and he jumped to the front two out for Norman Williamson to comfortably beat Pharrihy by four lengths in the three miles handicap hurdle. 'He stays really well and likes good ground or faster, so when the weather changes he'll be put away for next summer,' said trainer Des Hughes.
Alan Magee
