CHAMPION rider, John Murtagh, brought his seasonal tally to six on the Paddy Mullins trained Aboriginal at Clonmel yesterday when the partnership battled back gamely to beat Persian Dream and Eddie Ahern by the minimum margin in the Templemore Maiden.
Dublin born rider Ahern (19) gained compensation for this narrow defeat when be landed the Mountain Handicap on 20 to 1 chance Gleaming Heather. Despite putting up 4lb overweight, Ahern, recording his fourth victory this season, kept John Muldoon's charge up to her task from the furlong pole to hold Flash of Speed by a rapidly diminishing neck. "I'll try and find another handicap for her," said Curragh based Muldoon, who was not surprised with the result. "She was murdered here last time when sandwiched between horses at the furlong pole in a one and a half mile handicap and the extra trip here suited her well."
Crucial Move, formerly trained by Willie Mull ins, made all under Tommy Treacy to land the Cahir Maiden Hurdle to provide his uncle Sean with his 19th jumps winner this season.
Orchard Hope slipped up in the early stages of this contest, resulting in rider Adrian O'Shea suffering a fractured leg.
The penultimate contest was then delayed for 10 minutes awaiting the return of the second ambulance from Cashel Hospital, but the wait made no difference to John Kiely's Bronica, who rallied close home for Charlie Swan to beat Clashbeg.
Kilmacthomas trainer, Pat Lenihan, saddled the first two home in the Roscrea Beginners Chase courtesy of 20 to 1 winner, Little-K, and runner up and stable companion, Aiseiri.
The contest changed dramatically when well supported favourite, Hasty Hours, fell at the second last when throwing down a challenge, tragically breaking her shoulder.
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