High winds and persistent rain put a big dampener on this evening fixture, although those who supported Cloone River had good reason to smile after the mile and a half maiden.
Paul Nolan's charge, backed from 4/1 down to 11/4, made smooth headway to lead approaching the final furlong, and was pushed out by Fran Berry to beat Ciara's Delight by three lengths. However Nolan was surprised at the ease of the victory saying, 'He's a lovely horse but I didn't think he was straight enough today. I'm delighted the way he did it, and hopefully he is building up to something nice over the summer.'
Wayne Lordan partnered his fifth winner in just over a week when Animal Lover swept late to take the ten furlong handicap. Trainer Tom Hogan was full of praise for Lordan afterwards saying, 'Wayne gave her a peach of a ride as she is very difficult to settle, and ran too freely in the north last time. She might go to Ballinrobe next week if she eats up.'
Austin Leahy was fancied to take the mile and a half handicap with 2/1 favourite Dusseldorf, but instead the Limerick handler collected with Bluebell Line. The 12/1 chance made up considerable ground in the straight under Tom Queally to just touch off Kerry Way, with Dusseldorf holding every chance two lengths further back in third. However Queally was subsequently given a three days suspension (June 14-16) for using his whip with excessive force and frequency.
Eoin Griffin has Galway in mind for Patrizio, who traveled well under Norman Williamson to take the two and a half miles novice hurdle. The five-year-old gelding had just headed the front-running Super Run when that rival blundered at the last, and went on to score by three and a half lengths. 'We had trouble keeping condition on him last year, but he wintered well and is a much better horse this season. That's as soft as he wants it, and he'll have one more run before a handicap hurdle at Galway,' said Griffin.
There was a terrific finish to the two miles handicap hurdle where the Keith Hadnett-ridden Baron Aron edged out Flower Hunter by the minimum margin, with Massenet finishing best of all a neck away in third.
Ruby Walsh teamed up with his father Ted to take the beginners chase with True Blue Victory, taking advantage of the last fence fall of Pillar Rock to beat Canary Tan by two lengths.
Western View was sent to the front before two out by Barry Cash in the three miles handicap chase, and stayed on strongly to beat City Hall by eight lengths.
Alan Magee
