Apprentice Pat Cosgrave may have finally ended the chances of Cathy Gannon becoming the first female winner of the Apprentice Jockeys Series after partnering Port Natal to win the Munster Handicap at a rain soaked Thurles today. The win moved the Co. Down rider three clear of Gannon with only two Flat meetings remaining.
Winning trainer Pat Morris later stated 'I'm delighted for the owners (MDK Racing Syndicate) because they have had horses with me since I started training.'
Jim Bolger's La Bayadere lost her maiden tag in impressive fashion when making all in the opening 1m4f Glen Maiden. The 82 rated filly benefited from first time blinkers to record a fifteen length win from 14/1 shot Landira.
Twenty six year old jockey Steven Ryder rode his seventh winner when partnering Champagnesupernova to an all the way success in the 2m6f handicap hurdle. The nine year old filly is the only horse currently in training with Ballysteen, Co. Limerick trainer John Neville, who himself rode Champagnesupernova's dam to win a point to point at the track.
Barry Geraghty is experiencing a fine recent run and combined with trainer Jessica Harrington to easily win the 2m2f maiden hurdle with 4/9 favourite Irish Tzar. According to trainer Jessica Harrington, Irish Tzar will go chasing soon.
Apprentice Billy Lee has enjoyed a fine season and the Co. Limerick rider partnered Near Dunleer to win the Holycorss Handicap. Lee has formed a successful alliance with trainer Michael Hourigan and the combination have already won valuable handicaps this season
Ballybunion permit holder Paudie O'Connor saddled his first winner since taking out a license six months ago when Beale Hill made a winning debut in the 2m bumper. The son of Sabrehill received a fine ride from the trainer's brother Donal who produced the winner to lead with less than two furlongs to race.
The concluding 2m2f winners chase attracted just two runners with Risk Accessor, under Conor O'Dwyer, proving much too strong for his rival Splendour (Barry Geraghty).
Thomas Weekes.
