SHAKING off the attentions of bottom weight Lucayan Sunshine, Taklif led from five furlongs out and, clear into the dip, galloped away to win last evening's featured Guinness Extra Stout Handicap by two lengths from the gallant top weight Munif.
Previously successful in his maiden at Killarney, the Michael O'Brien trained, Eddie Ahern partnered gelding wore a special bit as he is inclined to hang badly - and indeed, he did race wide on the final bend. The four year old suffered from a lung infection but as his trainer said, he is healthy now.
Absent since October, Munif did well under his to stone and it wilt not be long before Dermot Weld's charge is back on the winning trail, possibly in Tralee's Carting Gold Cup which he won last year. Damancher was a warm favourite but was the first horse beaten. He returned lame.
Weld and Michael Kinane went one better when Monday's penalised winner, Zankle, just got the better of Tuesday's McDonogh Handicap third, Flaunt, in a photo finish to the concluding Harp Lager Handicap.
The Weld trained Bavario was all the rage for the Smithwicks Maiden, starting odds on though on form there was not a shred of evidence to suggest he could win. He could finish no nearer than fourth behind Staney Street, the first winner of the week for Jim Bolger. Ridden by Conor Everard, and owned by Loughrea solicitor, Gerry Moylan, Slaney Street was bought to replace the same owner's Peace Process, who died of a heart attack after winning a handicap at Fairyhouse in May.
Runner up to Bavario's stable companion Stylish Allure on his debut at Leopardstown, Slaney Street got the upperhand of Dr Bones in the straight and readily held the challenge of Afarka.
Although looking beaten. Brian Bowens persevered to win the Tony O'Maltey Memorial Handicap Chase on Tryfirion, trained by his father Victor. Fifth in Wednesday's Plate, Tryfirion appeared to have lost his chance when hitting the second last in third place and dropping back to fourth.
The English trained Who's To Say and Norman Williamson set sail for home after clearing the last in front and just as he was passed by The Ridge Boreen and Mark Dwyer after the turn, Tryfirion was making ground hand over fist on the outside, still two lengths adrift. But young Bowens knows the horse and he responded gamely to pressure, getting up by a length and a half. However, the rider was handed down a two day suspension for excessive use of the whip.
Johnny's Dream and Northern Fancy dead heated in the Budweiser Q.R. Handicap Hurdle and that was a surprise to the former's rider, Philip Fenton as well as to many observers. Johnny's Dream got the run on the inside and appeared to have held on from the fast finishing Northern Fancy who lost his place when making a mistake at the fourth last. Dessie Hughes has Tralee and Listowel in mind for the improving Johnny's Dream.
Aidan O'Brien saddled the first two home in the Carlsberg Race, Distinctly West holding the late challenge of Peace Melody.
. David Bridgwater has hardened to odds on favouritism to win his first National Hunt jockeys' title after riding a hat trick on the opening day of the new jumps season at Bangor yesterday.
Coral, the only firm among the big three to offer odds on the title, make Bridgwater a 4 to 6 (from 11 to 10) shot to wrest the crown from reigning champion Tony McCoy, who has been pushed out to 15 to 8 from 11 to 8.
Bridgwater partnered Sticky Money, Diamond Cut and Pond House to victory for his boss Martin Pipe, who also saddled Peter Monaniy to win, ridden by David Walsh.
