The Carberry family recorded a notable double when Paul and his younger sister Nina were successful aboard Beachcomber Bay and Spirit Dancer respectively at Gowran Park this afternoon. "She's better than Paul!" quipped trainer Ger Lyons after 17-year-old Nina notched up her second success on Spirit Dancer in the lady riders handicap. Feel The Pride forced the issue in this 1m6f event, but Ms Carberry judged the pace to perfection in producing Spirit Dancer to lead inside the final furlong to beat Kramer by two lengths.
Paul got a dream ride up the inner at the final bend on Beachcomber Bay to readily justified odds-on support in div one of the novice hurdle. Trainer Noel Meade revealed afterwards: "He's finished now for the season, and will go chasing next term. He jumps hurdles well, and should make a fine chaser."
Meanwhile, championship leader Michael Kinane extended his lead to seven when completing a double on Spartacus and Leinster Mills to bring his seasonal tally to 22. Spartacus provided Aidan O'Brien with his sixth individual juvenile winner (from 13 races) this year when scoring in fine style. The Danehill full-brother to Johan Cruyff struck the front over a furlong out, and stretched clear in the closing stages to beat Akanti by three lengths.
Kinane doubled up on Leinster Mills in the nine furlong handicap, running on strongly when switched to the inner in the final furlong to beat Bought Direct by three-quarters of a length. "Mick gave her a great drive, and she was a bit unlucky at the Curragh last time when she had to be switched three times. She may run again at Cork on Friday," said trainer Pat Hughes. The result remained unaltered after a stewards' enquiry into possible interference in the closing stages among the placed horses. However, Rachel Costello was given a five day suspension (May 24-26, 29-30) for careless riding on third placed Hereforagoodtime.
The John Oxx trained Masani was sent off the 2/5 favourite for the nine furlong maiden having twice filled third spot behind Century City this term, and he duly landed the odds with the minimum of fuss. Fran Berry's mount made all, and stayed on well in the straight to beat Sadinga by three lengths. The Currabeg handler later outlined his Irish Guineas plans saying: "Ahsanabad didn't seem to stay the ten furlongs in the Derby Trial last Sunday, and may go for the 2,000 Guineas. Barring Order had a slight setback but is back in training now, and she's my one for the 1,000."
Favourite backers were also on the mark in div two of the novice hurdle where Four Aces asserted before the final flight for Barry Geraghty to beat Sir Onside by one-and-a-half lengths. The three mile one furlong handicap hurdle proved a competitive affair, with Ruby Walsh sending Afewquid to the front at the final flight to beat Larry Hogan by one-and-a-half lengths.
Racegoers were treated to a dramatic finish in the bumper, with favourite Shoshoni Warrior making relentless progress to share the spoils with Curragh Gem.
Filed by Shane Murray
