Tony Mullins' Theme Song proved to be the star performer at Clonmel yesterday, where the son of Singspiel easily won the Rathronan Maiden under Seamus Heffernan.
A bumper winner on his previous start at Downpatrick, Theme Song made all the running and was never in any danger of defeat, eventually defeating Spin In The Wind by fourteen lengths. Mullins later mentioned that the 1/2 favourite (from 6/4 in the morning) is now likely to run in the Cesarewich or the November Handicap later this season.
Co. Cork trainer John Murphy continued his good recent run when winning division one of the September Handicap with Grand Madam, under Colm O'Donoghue. Murphy later mentioned 'she ran well when second behind Baikal at Tralee and won here over a 1m4f in July.'
The opening two mile Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle was won by the Christy Roche trained Galtee View who benefited from a strong drive from stable amateur Alan Crowe. Carrying the colours of Roche's wife Noreen, Galtee View was ridden along in third on the descent to the second last but responded well to Crowe, who brought his mount through to lead at the last before going on to score by a length and a half.
Silent Native made all under Ruby Walsh to win the two mile Handicap Hurdle. Paul Roche's charge was driven out well before the second last flight but held enough to defeat Golden Beacon by half a length. Winning trainer was absent but his father John later mentioned 'he liked that ground, and, in my opinion, never looked like being beaten.' Listowel is now a likely target for Silent Native.
The Munster Handicap Hurdle was won by Norman Cassidy's nine year old Allineedisamiracle. Bookmakers could barely have prayed for a better result, with Cyril Goodwin riding his third hurdle winner on the unsupported 12/1 winner, with the well backed Galway Blade (7/2 - 5/2) finishing fourth.
Sean Cleary rode his 32nd winner when partnering Hidden Cave to win for his boss Pat Flynn in the 1m2f Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race. Owner Padraic Malonesy, who featured in the Only Fools Buy Horses series, bought the filly for 500 guineas at Doncaster last October.
Tony Martin's Inver Lady (8/1 - 6/1) landed the second division of the 1m2f 0-60 handicap under Tadhg O'Shea while Snack Box (6/1) won the Bumper after receiving a well judged ride from permit holder/jockey Peter Fahey.
Thomas Weekes.
