The John Oxx-trained Blatant took the honours in the featured Carlsberg Ruby Stakes on Day 2 at Tralee, winning in great style for John Murtagh. The Meath rider, who half-an-hour earlier justified favouritism aboard stable companion Adalar, always had the favourite close to the pace until he swept into the lead after the turn-in. Once Murtagh pressed the button early in the straight the response was instant as the Oxx inmate drew clear to slam Maumee by four lengths.
Blatant is owned by Sheikh Mohammed but actually carried the colours of the Aga Khan en route to his facile victory. The reason for such a colour change was the fact that Catherine Gannon was taken to nearby Tralee General Hospital after taking a fall in the opener wearing the set of Sheikh Mohammed silks. The Dublin-born apprentice was stood down for 48 hours by the course doctor after her mount Analyst clipped heels and slipped up in the apprentice handicap won by Golly Gosh.
The Baltimore Man, winner of six races under both codes, was humanely destroyed after suffering a broken shoulder at the fifth fence in the Directors Beginners Chase won by market rival Theseus, trained by Pat Hughes. After Barry Geraghty partnered the well-supported 7/2 shot to victory over Celtic Minstrel, Hughes indicated that the six-year-old would be heading for the Doncaster Sales next October.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
