Jim Bolger's 2003 season sprung into life in dramatic fashion when saddling a 20/1 treble, highlighted by the Listed success of Snippets in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes.
Snippets missed out on a trip to Epsom for the Vodafone Oaks after not scoping well due to mucus, but she showed no ill effects here when leading inside the final quarter mile under Kevin Manning to beat Juliette by three quarters of a length. 'She gets the mile and a half well, likes fast ground and is a gutsy filly with also a bit of talent,' said Bolger before adding, 'She is not in the Irish Oaks but we will have a look at the Pretty Polly, and see how she goes from there.'
The Coolcullen handler detailed how a low-grade virus has affected his stable this season saying, 'In hindsight I should have spotted the warning signs sooner. A number of horses I expected to win at the start of the season were disappointing and, after carrying out tests, a small amount of mucus was found in 90% of them. There are still three or four in the yard with mucus that are finding it hard to shift.'
Il Pirata, one of a number of horses who had their tail cut at the Goffs Yearling Sales last autumn, justified favouritism in the juvenile maiden. The Indian Ridge colt was switched to the inner by Manning over a furlong out, and driven past the easy to back newcomer Day Of The Cat to score by a length.
Beautifulballerina completed a memorable evening for trainer and jockey when landing the fillies maiden, putting Manning on the ten winner mark for the season. The former Jeremy Noseda inmate challenged between horses over a furlong out to beat Lucky Slipper by three quarters of a length, and survived a subsequent stewards enquiry. 'We will see how the handicapper treats her, and take it from there,' said Bolger.
Gerry Keane's Trim yard has also been hit by sickness recently, but Harry Husyan provided him with a welcome tonic in the handicap hurdle. Garrett Cotter sent the seven-year-old gelding to the front two out and he stayed on strongly to beat Buoni Island by seven lengths.
'He's the first horse that has really sparked for me in the past few months. Alot of them have been coughing and had dirty noses, and I thought this horse would need the run. He won a point-to-point, and should make a nice staying chaser in time,' said Keane.
Portant Fella was always prominent under Pat Cosgrave in the mile handicap and held the renewed effort of Wimbledon by a short-head. 'He's a 7lb better horse on that ground, and will run again at Gowran Park on Sunday,' said trainer Joanna Morgan.
Alan Magee
