Review NAAS 20TH JUL

Michael Halford's stable has been in flying form of late, and the tally now stretches to ten winners in as many days after recording another double with Stef's Girl and Hemaris.

Rory Cleary has been a real rising star in the Halford team over the past few seasons, and the Curragh trainer believes he has another star apprentice on his hands with Emmet Butterly.

The Trim youngster partnered his second winner as Stef's Girl made virtually all in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, holding off the persistent challenge of Walk In My Shadow by a head.

'Emmet rode 190 pony race winners and has a great head on him. He's very cool and gave this filly a good ride from the front. She tends to run very free, and we could drop her back to seven furlongs,' said Halford.

The photo-finish camera was also needed to confirm Hemaris (9/10f) had got up in the final strides of the August Bank Holiday Family Day Race.

Danetime Lady (14/1-6/1) looked set to land a touch inside the final furlong until Michael Kinane conjured up a telling late surge on the favourite.

'On the book she deserved to win it but the ground is every bit as fast as she would like. She's not that easy to place off her rating (82),' commented Halford.

The market spoke for Heatseeker (5/2-2/1f) in the Yeomanstown and Morristown Lattin Studs-sponsored juvenile maiden, and the David Wachman-trained colt made a successful debut.

Giant's Causeway started his racing career in this 6f event six years ago, and his son could well have a bright future after coming from an unlikely position to score under Wayne Lordan.

Free Roses appeared sure to make all entering the final furlong but Heatseeker got the hang of things in the final 100 yards to sweep past for a half length verdict.

'He wants a good bit further but we had to start off somewhere. He was very green early on, and should come on a lot for it,' said Wachman.

He added, 'My horses were very flat for a while and they are only coming back now.'

Benwilt Breeze upset a Ballydoyle hot-pot when successful on his reappearance here earlier this month, and Ger Lyons' charge repeated the trick against the well-backed Bonanza in the Bloodhorse Insurances Handicap.

Tadhg O'Shea's mount was up with the pace throughout, and smoothly hit the front over a furlong out to beat Salishan by a comfortable two lengths (Bonanza back in fourth).

'He needed a very serious wind operation last year and has done a lot of growing in the meantime. His sire, Mujadil, is one of my favourites and we'll stick to around six furlongs,' said Lyons.

Whatadifference was well-supported for the Morrin Mortgages Handicap Hurdle, and the Charlie Swan-trained 11/4 favourite looked set for a convincing victory when striking the front after two out.

However Johnny Levins needed to get serious on the five-year-old gelding in the closing stages as Euro Flyer's late renewed effort just failed by a short-head.

The 12/1 debut win of Crossing (Roger Loughran) in the bumper was good news for six jackpot punters who each received a dividend of 1,709.60.

Alan Magee