MICHAEL KINANE and his father, Tommy, team up at Sligo this evening with the five year old Craigary in the Royal Exchange Pub Handicap but the partnership may have to settle for a minor placing behind the Pat Martin trained Island Rock, who will be ridden by the in form Eddie Ahern.
Island Rock, fourth behind Comrade Chinnery at Wexford on her most recent run (with one of today's rivals Berry Sharp now 2lb worse off two and a half lengths ahead in second), probably ran her best race to date when beaten two lengths by Notcomplainingbut in a 14 fur long handicap at Bellewstown.
Texas Friday is sure to prove a big threat but Island Rock is weighted to take her revenge after the pair finished third and fourth respectively behind Bold Lillian at Dundalk in June.
Mile A Minute ran a good race on the second night of Galway when beaten a length and a half by Stroll Home. Jockey Tony McCoy earned a four day suspension that evening so Tony Powell will be looking for better luck in the Heineken Sligo Handicap Chase. Caragh Bridge, a three and a half length winner from Hannies Girl at Ballinrobe, may provide the main dancer.
Shanrue, fifth of the eight runners behind Port Queen at Killarney, is probably better assessed on his seven length second to Fraser Carey at Tipperary at the end of June. He has Twenty five quid to beat in the Strandhill Maiden Hurdle.
For those who like coincidence bets you could do worse than double up with Killarney scorer Bright Project and Jim Bolger's juvenile Last Project, beaten two and a half lengths by Far Niente (now 4lb worse off) at Gowran.
. David Harrison received a three day ban for improper riding at Kempton last night.
Harrison, who rode 7 to 2 favourite Anaar into second behind Davina Luna in the Guinness Handicap, was adjudged by the stewards to have struck his mount with unreasonable frequency and will be sidelined from August 16th-18th.
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