French import Message Recu, owned by the twelve-strong Cathedral Syndicate, including Galway senior steward Ray Rooney, battled on gamely under Norman Williamson to defeat Moon Shot in the Brandon Hotel 4-Y-O Handicap Hurdle at Tralee yesterday,writes Brian Fleming.
'I can't explain why he ran so badly at Galway in the GPT (13th) behind Gamekeeper - I just don't know, it may have been the track, the blinkers -I just can't explain,' said Edward O'Grady, who will run his charge in the Lartique 4-Y-O Hurdle at Listowel next month.
Dual Galway festival scorer Bannow Bay defied top-weight with the minimum of fuss under Alan Crowe to complete a quick hat-trick over timber in the 2m6f handicap hurdle.
Christy Roche, who trains the half-brother of Mighty Moss for Paul Shanahan and Sue Magnier, revealed, ' He improved a terrible lot from Galway and is a lovely horse. We'll have to forget about handicaps now and aim him for 3m staying hurdles.'
'Paul (Shanahan) is very keen on him going chasing and he could be the real thing,' Roche concluded.
Dubliner Karl Wyse (25), who finished runner-up to Philip Fenton in the amateur championship race last season, oozed confidence throughout the 2m1f maiden hurdle aboard warm favourite Rua Lass to easily land the spoils for Eoin Griffin.
'I was delighted with last season considering I was out of action for over a month and if I have a year like it again I'll be very happy,' said Wyse after maintaining his 100% record (3rd win) aboard the 8yo mare, who now heads for a 2m4f novice hurdle at Listowel.
Frances Crowley provided her sister Angela with a 12th career success in the plate when 7/1 shot Golden Storm held off the late surge of Hanger Straight by a length in the Ladies Race.
Charlie Swan, who saddled Commanche Lodge to win the concluding bumper at Kilbeggan on Friday evening, saddled his 20th winner under both codes since early June when Over The First justified strong support (4/1-11/4) under John O'Meara in the penultimate bumper.
Just three went to post for the winners bumper with victory going to Sean Treacy's Roomroroom Express who forged clear in the straight under Aidan Fizgerald to defeat market rival Applause by six lengths.
Brian Fleming
