Rath opens account at Ballinrobe

Richie Rath from Blackwater, Co Wexford opened his account under rules when he saddled She's Sharp to a shock win in the maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening. John Cullen's mount was always prominent in this two-and-a-half mile event, and held off Harvest Time by half-a-length in an exciting finish.

The Galway Blazers is next on the agenda for Annaghmore Gale after the seven-year-old also coped well with the testing conditions in the novice chase. Dessie Hughes' charge jumped well in the hands of Paul Carberry, and led before three out to record a five length1 victory over Mallaca Hill.

The ground then turned soft after heavy rain, but it proved no problem for River Hopper who took the apprentice handicap in convincing fashion under Catherine Gannon. The Pat Martin-trained gelding stretched clear from the furlong pole to beat Kenny's Pet by seven lengths.

Nonchalant justified good support in the nine furlong handicap, but only after a titanic tussle with Gwapa in the straight. Pat Smullen, now just three behind John Murtagh on the 39 winner mark in the jockeys' championship, gave the Frances Crowley-trained gelding a strong drive to prevail by half-a-length.

Declan McDonogh partnered his tenth winner of the season when Polish Legion showed good speed throughout in the six furlong handicap. Annette McMahon's charge headed Wow off the home turn, and kept on well to beat Honeyschoice by one-and-a-half lenghts. Michael Grassick maintained his fine record at this track when Kesh Kumay struck the front inside the final furlong to beat long-time leader Tate Tirol by one length in the two mile maiden. Lelari finished best in the bumper, heading the tired front-runner Houndswood inside the final furlong to score by five lengths.

Filed by Shane Murray