`This game is a great leveler, just like hurling!' said Clare permit holder Noel Glynn after his charge Gotarapofahames took the opening Clew Bay Hotel Race in fine style at a wet and windy Ballinrobe yesterday evening.
Eddie Ahern's mount broke smartly from the starting stalls, and was sent clear on the home bend to beat main market rival Persian Bandit by an eased down three and a half lengths. Glynn's native county bowed out of the Munster Hurling Championship against Tipperary on Sunday but this served as some compensation, and the colt will be aimed at the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes later this year at the Curragh.
Eddie Creighton (16), from Ashbourne, Co Meath and apprenticed to Michael Grassick on the Curragh, partnered his second winner when Stellissima made most to land the Sheridan Electric Castlebar Handicap.
The five-year-old mare is trained near Strabane, Co Tyrone by Lindsay Woods, who said: 'She won over hurdles at Perth last year but has a wind problem.' Tinahely handler Philip Rothwell continued his return to form when Galant Tour provided the stable with a fifth win in the past three weeks. Joe Casey's mount survived a mistake at the last for a game three quarters of a length success over Banogue Lass in the Goat Tavern Handicap Hurdle.
Karl Wyse gave Nordice Equity a strong drive to just touch off Bobayaro in the final strides of the bumper to the delight of favourite backers.
