Review GOWRAN PARK 7TH JUN

The featured Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes produced a tremendous finish, with the John Oxx-trained Dearly just getting the nod over Chiming.

Sheikh Mohammed's home-bred, just denied in another Listed race at Cork last time, had her head down when it mattered on the line after a protracted duel from the furlong pole. 'She has been very consistent, but you always need a bit of luck', said Oxx, who added: 'We will let her take her chance in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, and she may stay twelve furlongs in time'.

Pat Shanahan was the rider to follow at this poorly attended evening fixture, moving onto the 13 winner mark for the season with a 524/1 treble.

Dermot Weld saddled two runners in division one of the Kilkenny Maiden, with the Pat Smullen ridden Button Down carrying the stable confidence. The Moyglare Stud Farm's colt looked set to score when produced to challenge stablemate Fair McLain approaching the furlong pole, but the unfancied 14/1 chance rallied well in the closing stages to hold on by a shorthead.

'Pat said she handled the ground well, while it was too fast for Button Down', said Weld's son, Mark, afterwards.

Shanahan completed his brace half-an-hour later in division two aboard the well-fancied Magic Cove. The Con Collins-trained filly got a nice run up the inner to strike the front two furlongs out, and was eased in the closing stages to beat fellow 5/2 joint favourite Twiggy's Sister by three and a half lengths.

The Shanahan/Collins alliance were again to the fore in the Senator Windows Hanidcap, where Forest Chief led inside the final quarter mile to beat the staying on Daisy Dancer by a length.

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