RACING: Eklim, winner of the McDonagh Handicap last year but without a win since, showed a really good battling attitude to beat Fearn Royal in the featured Listed Carlsberg Ruby Stakes at Tralee yesterday.
Coincidentally, the runner-up had also occupied that position in the McDonagh of 2003, but this time she looked like she might relegate Eklim to the bridesmaid position when she challenged strongly from over a furlong out. However, Declan McDonogh's mount stuck his head out in determined fashion to forge to a ¾-length victory, winning handler Kevin Prendergast being an absentee.
Classy horses having the initial outing over fences always presents a nail-biting prospect for connections but those involved in Cloone River need not have worried as he passed his first test with a flawless display. Mirpour, his main market rival fell at the third last when yet to be asked a question, and this was Johnny Cullen's only anxious moment as he was slightly hampered aboard the 11 to 10 favourite. Leading away from the second last, Paul Nolan's charge wasn't in the least bit extended to dispose of Darby Wall by three lengths with a long break back to the third.
Disqualified when passing the post first in a Gowran maiden awarded to John Oxx's Laudable, Euphrates was expected to be given most to do by that yards Francis Drake as he attempted to put the record straight in the opening maiden. As it turned out, however, the main threat was to come from Peter Casey's Bective Ranger, Aidan OBrien's 2 to 5 chance just holding off that one by a head under Pat Cosgrave (deputising for the suspended Jamie Spencer).
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