Manning guides Sina Cova home

Naas report: Teofilo's jockey Kevin Manning put a black type ribbon on a momentous weekend when Sina Cova successfully conceded weight all round in yesterday's Naas feature.

Manning teamed up with the north Co Dublin trainer Peter Casey in the Listed Retza and Soudavar Garnet Stakes and once Sina Cova led two and a half furlongs out she always had too much in hand for the runner-up Cheyenne Star.

Due to Pat Shanahan picking up a concussion injury on Saturday, the second was ridden by apprentice Martin Lane who was unable to use his 7lb claim and Manning's inspirational form guaranteed a two-and-a-half length victory.

"He's having some weekend, but this filly is a rare one too," said Casey. "I think we'll keep her for another year. She seems to be getting better."

Manning, also successful on Finsceal Beo at Newmarket on Saturday, had earlier been on Anna's Rock, one of three co-favourites in the Derrinstown Stud Birdcatcher Nursery, but the successful Roscommon form was completely overturned by the winner Liscanna who pounced late to beat Out Of The Red. Liscanna's trainer David Wachman also saddled the third, Lucky Kyllachy, and was reluctant to attribute Liscanna's improved performance purely to the first time blinkers.

"I was disappointed at Roscommon where she was only fourth when I thought she would win. But I've always had this in mind for her," Wachman said.

Tom Taaffe trained the winners of both hurdles races with War General comprehensively beating the 4 to 7 favourite Hotel Hilamar in the conditions hurdle and Finger Onthe Pulse winning for Paddy Flood in the handicap.

Flood's main task turned out to be settling the winner who ran free for a long way and led three quarters of a mile out before holding off Ponmeoath. "He's going to make a chaser but he will be hurdling this season and there's a nice pay day there if we use our heads," was Taaffe's verdict on Finger Onthe Pulse while Cheltenham next month could be a target for War General.

Noel Meade got compensation for Hotel Hilamar's defeat when Jazz Messenger came with a sweeping run in the straight to easily score in the Premier mile and a half handicap and there was more to come in the bumper as Aran Concerto made an impressive debut under Nina Carberry.