Ballylooby jockey Shane Crosse rode the John McConnell trained Maricruz to victory in the www.countysligoraces.com Apprentice Handicap at Sligo on Wednesday.
The three-year-old filly raced on five occasions without success prior to the 1m2f contest at the Connacht track but set the record straight on the night courtesy of a three-and-a-half-length success. The Dermot Weld trained Ace Of Diamonds was next best, while 11/2 shot Sharjah completed the places for trainer Andrew Slattery.
Upton trainer JJ Murphy had Marlborough Sounds in prime condition to take the concluding race of the seven race card at Sligo. The 11/1 shot kept on best of all inside the final furlong of the 1m4f contest to edge out Rocky Blue in a very tight finish.
Tallow trainer Kenneth Budds sent Here For The Craic to Tipperary on Friday and provided his 17-year-old cousin Alannah Budds, Killeagh with a first career success. The 11-year-old veteran had finished third in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh and a late surge here was enough to snatch victory by a neck.
Newmarket trainer Des Donovan saddled Dandyman Port to victory in the Follow Tipperary on Facebook Handicap at Tipperary on Friday. The mount of seven-pound claimer Shane Crosse was available at odds of 14/1 to claim the seven furlong contest and a strong ride from Crosse in the final furlong was crucial.
Midleton rider Paul Townend rode a double at Kilbeggan on Saturday, where he got the ball rolling in the fourth race on the card by riding 1/2 favourite Aramon to a comfortable eight-length success. He later completed that double courtesy of Lasoscar in the At Kilbeggan Races Handicap Steeplechase. The 7/2 favourite stayed on well having hit the front before the last to register a fourth career success.
The good times kept on rolling for recent recent Galway Plate winning rider Mark Enright on Saturday as Judgement Day won the Kieran Kelly Memorial Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan on Saturday. The Henry de Bromhead trained six-year-old was beaten favourite last time out but suffered no such disappointment this time around as he obliged at odds of 9/4 in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
Davy Russell signed off on his week’s work with victory in the Birthday Greetings Mares Handicap Hurdle. Russell was aboard the Gordon Elliott trained Mill’s Quest and posted a five-and-a-half-length victory at odds of 10/3.
Upton’s Wayne Lordon was also among the winners on Sunday as he rode Tremendous Leap to victory in the Sensational Kids Handicap.
Upcoming Fixtures
Tramore – Thursday, August 16th (first race 4.50); Leopardstown – Thursday, August 16th (first race 5.15); Tramore – Friday, August 17th (first race 5.00); Dundalk – Friday, August 17th (first race 5.45); Tramore – Saturday, August 18th (first race 5.10); Tramore – Sunday, August 19th (first race 2.10).
