Cloyne trainer Denise O'Shea teamed up with fellow County Cork rider Darragh O'Keeffe from Doneraile for a 66/1 success in the mares' maiden hurdle at Tramore on Saturday in the shape of Getaway Glenda – "It was a surprise," admitted the trainer afterwards.
Also at Tramore, Nigel Slevin took the bumper with neck winner Fairytale Bliss in Judy Long's colours under Johnny Barry, the Conna native giving the horse a cracking ride.
Punters were confident about Automatic at Limerick on Thursday, who was sent off 10-11 favourite for Liam Burke and won easily under Rachael Blackmore in the opening maiden hurdle.
Sean Says was back in the winners' enclosure for trainer Rodger Sweeney, winning at 40/1 in the Adare Handicap Hurdle. Willie Mullins was among the winners in the ladies' bumper at Limerick, Dysart Diamond winning at 5/4 favourite under Jody Townend.
Charles Byrnes is targeting a profitable Galway and he combined with Cork rider Cathal Landers to take the McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle with Imperial Choice at Ballinrobe on Wednesday, the filly winning by seven lengths.
Wayne Lordan had a week to remember and sat on one of the best fillies he has had anything to do with as Magical was in a different league to her five rivals as she retained the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in good style at the Curragh on Sunday for Aidan O'Brien, who saddled the first two home.
The five-year-old mare was sent into an early lead by Lordan and powered home by two and a quarter lengths from a staying-on Sir Dragonet (18/1), which ran a cracker despite being beaten again.
Lordan and O'Brien also combined to take Friday's Ulster Oaks with Elizabethofaragon, the 6/1 chance, which bids to win again at Galway on Monday. She got up by a neck in the closing stages.
The pair's second winner was Dawn Patrol in the closing maiden at Naas on Wednesday, though the 1/8 favourite had to work hard to see off Daylight Come.
Cahir rider Shane Crosse took the sprint handicap with Musical Rue trained by Willie McCreery at odds of 7/1 at the Curragh on Sunday.
Joseph O'Brien has a nice prospect in Never Forgotten, which easily beat the favourite So Wonderfula at odds of 3/1 in the fillies' maiden division one at Gowran Saturday under Crosse. The pair recorded a double as Pugin took the auction maiden for Michael O'Leary, a rare Flat winner for him, at 15/8.
There was more big-race success for O'Brien and Crosse Thursday as 10/1 chance Bolleville, recruited from France, took the Silver Stakes.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Leopardstown – Friday, July 31 (First Race 1pm); Galway – Friday, July 31 (First Race 4.45pm); Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 1 (First Race 2.15pm); Galway – Saturday, August 1 (First Race 2.35pm); Cork – Sunday, August 2 (First Race 2pm); Galway – Sunday, August 2 (First Race 2.45pm).
