Impending motherhood proved no barrier to Sail With The Wind as the Paul Cashman-trained mare landed the featured EBF Fillies Handicap.
The five-year-old is currently in foal to Rathbarry Stud's first season sire Namid, and she dug deep in the straight for Philip Carberry to record a three quarters of a length victory over Queen For A Day. 'She is entered again at Cork on Friday, and at Killarney, and may run providing she comes out of this okay,' said Cashman.
Eddie Lynam opened his account for the season when Fingal Nights took the opening six furlongs Naas Handicap under Seamus Heffernan. The Night Shift filly was always prominent on the stands side, and asserted at the furlong pole to beat Osterhase by a length and a half.
'I thought she would need the run as my horses have been sick this year. She will go next for a 0-85 handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend, while alot of my two-year-old's won't be out for another three weeks,' said Lynam.
Irene Oakes was another trainer on the scoresheet for the first time this year when All Pop benefitted from a powerful drive by Pat Shanahan in the EBF Fillies Maiden. The daughter of Turtle Island stayed on gamely when challenged by De Laroche from the furlong pole to prevail by a neck.
'She was a little bit backward last year, and conditions were right today as she loves top of the ground and going left-handed,' said the Curragh handler.
Martin Gunne gained a deserved win in the Re/Max Town And Country Maiden, making virtually all and driven out by Kevin Manning inside the final quarter mile to beat Pacific by three and a half lengths. 'He will be better over a mile, and will now be stepped up in class,' said winning trainer Jim Bolger's assistant Myles Sutherland.
Homer Scott had double call for celebration after saddling John James to land the Angela Buckley Novice Hurdle as he also stands the gelding's sire, Bravefoot, at his Lisheen Stud. Ken Whelan sent the six-year-old to the front over half a mile out, and he stayed on gamely under pressure on the run-in to deny Ikdam Melody by a length.
Sean McDermott was seen to good effect aboard Sully Shuffles, who got up in the closing stages to pip Kapok and Khairambar by a neck and half a length. 'He battled well under pressure, and goes on the ground,' commented trainer Francis Flood afterwards.
Alan Magee
