ON his highly promising two year old form, the Dermot Weld trained Force of Will should have won the Lagore race at Fairyhouse last evening with,, plenty in hand.
But the 4 to 11 favourite was all out to hold Kilbaha by a neck under Michael Kinane prompting Weld to concede that his winner, third to Danehill Dancer in the National Stakes at the Curragh last September, has been disappointing so far this term.
Weld said "To be honest he has been a disappointment, but he would prefer better ground and will appreciate a drop back to six furlongs."
A defeat for Force of Will would have been a major upset and there was almost another surprise in the Ratoath EBF maiden when the unconsidered Sandomierz hit the front inside, the final furlong. But to his credits Silvestrini, the 5 to 2 favourite battled back well to win by a head, under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger.
Bolger and Manning got a second winner when Peace Process easily won the Garristown, Handicap, but tragically the winner suffered a suspected heart attack on returning to be unsaddled and died. Kevin Manning received a nasty tumble as Peace Process collapsed through the running rail, and shaken, he missed his only remaining ride. Manning was later found to be suffering from mild concussion and was stood down for 48 hours.
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