Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning combined to complete a 15/1 double at the first meeting of the year at Tipperary this afternoon. Light-weight Feel The Pride justified good support when easily taking the twelve furlong handicap to initiate the brace before Alserna scored in the one mile one furlong fillies maiden. The 3/1 shot kept on well inside the final furlong to shrug off market leader Nashwan Rose by one-and-a-half lengths.
Earlier, Tiger Royal, a winner over six furlongs at the Curragh last Sunday, followed up over the minimum trip in the hands of Pat Smullen. Formerly with Dandy Nicholls for a period which yielded no success in six outings, the six-year-old grey recorded his fourth success and his third over five furlongs since returning to Rosewell House last August. Trainer Dermot Weld said afterwards: "He has to be covered up and he had everything going for him there. I still think six furlong is probably his best trip but he's not too bad over the five either."
Curragh trainer Sheena Collins saddled her first winner of the season and the second juvenile winner of her career when newcomer Ryan's Academy sprang a surprise in the opening five furlong maiden. Sent off at 25/1, the son of Ali Royal, a first venture into ownership for brothers Gerry and Paul Carty, responded gamely to Pat Shanahan's urgings to defeat market principals Petite Histoire and Ontario.
Meanwhile, recent Downpatrick scorer Danaeve benefited from a typically confident Paul Carberry ride to win the Rated Chase for Gerry Keane, while Tom Treacy made all aboard Keller, trained by his uncle Sean. Risk Of Thunder warmed up for another race over the banks at Punchestown later this month by finishing a long way back in fifth after never threatening the principals.
Finally, Donna's Princess was sent off the rank outsider at 14/1 when taking the two mile one furlong handicap chase for Co Waterford trainer Garrett Ducey, while Willie Mullins' Clounties Hill stormed home in the finale.
Filed by Shane Murray
