Review NAAS 26-JUL-2000

Mick Kinane's much awaited comeback ride after a 3 week absence through injury was delayed for half-an-hour when Freud was withdrawn just 35 minutes before the 2yo maiden.

Aidan O'Brien's juvenile, a full brother to Giant's Causeway, was reported to be lame in the stableyard.

Victory in the 6f maiden went to the James Burns-trained filly Caeribland (7/4-6/4-2/1f) after which the Curragh trainer remarked, 'She's maybe a filly for the Birdcatcher back here in the Autumn.'

Mick Kinane later reported all is on target for his ride on Montjeu in the King George on Saturday after finishing 4th aboard Molly-O in the 1m handicap, his only ride of the session.

Victory here went to Monitor (10/1), who made virtually all the running to run his rivals ragged including the well supported Golden Spice (7/2-5/2f) back in 2nd.

Dessie Hughes nominated a 2m flat race at Galway for Ojay (4/1-7/2) after the 5yo landed the 2m handicap hurdle under Kieran Kelly with Effusive (6/4f) back in 3rd.

Favourite backers suffered a bitter blow in the Apprentice Race when warm order Polish Panache (1/3-1/4f) had no answer to the Frances Crowley-trained Benovia.

Providing Jayne Mulqueen with her third success in the plate, the 10/1 shot kept on well to defeat Sheikh Mohammad's 3yo gelding by 1 1/2l.

'I thought he might run well for Jayne with no sticks and he did,' said the winning trainer, who reported Moscow Express 'in good form and spot on' for his defence of the Galway Plate crown next week.

Dermot Weld, fresh from Sundays American Derby victory with Pine Dance, saddled Last call (6/4-5/4f) to land the 5f maiden in the hands of Pat Smullen.

'I was probably wrong with him earlier in the season as I thought 7f to a mile was his trip. It's probably 6f, I'd say,' said Weld.

Racing concluded with Laois Lottie (12/1-14/1-12/1) and Jarlath Fahey (33), brother of winning trainer Seamus, scoring for the Lillie White Syndicate at the expense of Kaikovra and Ardlea.

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