Review CURRAGH 27TH JUN

Carrizo Creek led home an English-trained domination of the E130,000 Goffs Challenge, with Kieren Fallon's mount quickening up nicely at the furlong pole to score in fine style.

Brian Meehan's charge idled in the closing stages to beat Danesmead by 1 1/2L with Kalani Girl the same distance back in third, and another raider Hilites a neck further away in fourth.

'He's a fairly serious horse, and has improved with each run. Kieren advised us to avoid Royal Ascot and come straight here,' said Meehan.

'We'll have a go at something decent now, and I'm sure he'll stay further,' added Meehan, who spent two years nearby at the Irish National Stud but was recording his first winner here as a trainer.

There was drama at the start prior to the juvenile maiden when 1/2 favourite Grey Swallow was startled by Chestnut Gallinule acting up in the stalls.

The odds-on grey colt was withdrawn on veterinary advice, while the field was further reduced when Chestnut Gallinule failed to enter the stalls at a second attempt.

Grey Swallow's trainer Dermot Weld was disappointed that a request to the Turf Club during the afternoon to load his horse last was not allowed.

'He goes into stalls fine but has a short fuse, and I made the request in the interests of safety. I also felt there was a shortage of stalls handlers,' said Weld.

Victory here went to another newcomer Kanisfluh, who kept on well under strong driving by Wayne Lordan to lead inside the final furlong for a half length verdict over Akinola

Niall McCullagh recorded a double aboard handicap winners Rossmorerevival and Raining.

Rossmorerevival collared Zelden in the closing stages of the mile handicap, and then held off the late surge of Huxley to score by two necks.

'I was a bit worried after all the rain this morning as he's a good ground horse and just stays the mile. The owners are really jumping people, and we may send him over hurdles,' said local trainer Dermot Kelly.

McCullagh followed up in the sprint handicap when Raining headed the front-running Step Back inside the final furlong for a length success.

Cathy Gannon had Chartres up with the pace throughout in the apprentice Derby, and she showed plenty of strength in the finish to force the 4yo filly home 1/2L ahead of Euro Pressure.

'Chartres has won twice, and both times Cathy has ridden her. This filly stays well, and the rain was a help,' said John Oxx.

However the Currabeg handler is not optimistic about Alamshar lining up for the Budweiser Irish Derby on Sunday due to a recurring back problem.

'It's the same trouble he had before the Derrinstown Trial at Leopardstown, and we will leave a final decision until Sunday morning. He wouldn't be able to run today or tomorrow.'

Creux Noir, owned by the ten strong Bon Cheval Syndicate headed up by RTE newsreader Colm Murray, landed the ten furlong handicap under Pat Smullen.

The Dermot Weld-trained 7yo traveled smoothly to challenge in the straight, and got the better of a final furlong duel with Miss Odlum by a length and a half.

Michael Kinane extended his advantage to five at the head of the jockeys' table when Ingres stayed on strongly from the furlong pole to beat Estivau by 2 1/2L in the 10f maiden.

Alan Magee