It was a quiet week on the domestic front but the Irish were again to the fore abroad as Royal Ascot dominated the racing news.
John Murtagh is literally riding the crest of a wave at present, and the Derby winning pilot kept in the limelight with three victories at this high profile fixture. The three-time Irish champion teamed up with the Sinndar connections of HH Aga Khan and John Oxx when Katiykha recorded a narrow success in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes on Tuesday.
Murtagh was again seen to good effect the following day aboard the Tony Martin-trained Barba Papa in the two and a half mile Ascot Stakes. However this stamina sapping event will be remembered for a four horse pile-up on the home bend, with Kieren Fallon (the leading jockey at the meeting with four wins) being sidelined for the remainder of the week with a shoulder injury. Both of those winners were quietly fancied at 10/1, and he was again in the spotlight on Thursday as 20/1 chance Superior Premium landed theCork And Orrery Stakes in fine style.
There was further Irish success at the meeting as Giant`s Causeway gained a gutsy win in the St James Palace Stakes. Nobody would begrudge the American bred colt a Group 1 victory this season after filling the runner-up spot in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas. He was ridden more aggressively on this occasion by Mick Kinane, and held on bravely in the closing stages under a typically strong drive from the reigning champion.
There were a couple of firsts on the home front during the week. Philip Rothwell has made quite an impact on the jumping scene since taking out a licence last summer but the Tinahely handler recorded his first Flat win with Trimaclana at Roscommon on Monday. The three-year-old filly, who is reported to have schooled well over hurdles, was produced with a well-timed challenge by Damien Oliver to snatch the spoils close home.
Gerard Kennedy, who took out a permit to train near Killenaule six months ago, gotoff the mark when La Shalak benefitted from a fine tactical ride by Paul Scallan to score at Clonmel on Wednesday. Scallan has been entrusted with a number of select mounts by his master Aidan O`Brien in the past year and, having got off to a slow start this season due to injury, looks one to watch in the coming months.
Paul Carberry has suffered his fair share of injury in the past few years. However this is the first season for some time that he has been ready to go from the start of the campaign, and he is making the most of his opportunities. The supremely talented Meathman is already on the nine winner mark having recorded an amazing three doubles in the space of six days, culminating in a brace on the Noel Meade-trained pair Link Hill and Clanlucky at Clonmel.
