Pat Smullen looks assured of a second successive jockeys championship, holding a lead of five over Michael Kinane with just the final day of the Flat season to come at Leopardstown on Sunday.
However the reigning champion endured a frustrating afternoon at a very poorly attended Thurles when drawing a blank from six rides, and having to settle for the runner-up berth on no less than three occasions.
Smullen went closest to scoring aboard Literary Lover in the one mile EBF Race for two-year-olds, with the Dermot Weld-trained filly just failing to catch Solid Approach by a short-head.
The Weld/Smullen combination also filled second place with Quakemaker, no match for Fearn Royal inside the final furlong of the Cahir Median Auction Maiden, and the odds-on Ballerine was readily outpointed by Best Wait in the Horse And Jockey Maiden.
Best Wait's trainer Tom Hogan followed up in the concluding Holycross Apprentice Handicap where topweight Penny Rich scored in fine style for Tadhg O'Shea.
David Moran (18), from Templemore, partnered his first winner aboard Margarula in the Littleton Nursery Handicap. The Jim Bolger-trained filly and hot-favourite Arkaga dominated in the straight, with Moran's mount keeping on well to prevail by three quarters of a length.
Belmullet apprentice Ambrose Reilly doubled his tally when Peaceful Sarah headed Grianan Realta well inside the final furlong of the Square Handicap. 'She is a very straight forward ride, and loves soft ground. She is booked into Royal Applause next spring,' said trainer Peter Mooney.
Alan Magee
