Punters suffered a number of reverses at Naas on Saturday, with Aunty Catherine getting Curragh trainer Paddy Prendergast off the mark for the new flat campaign in the Kilcullen Maiden. Declan McDonogh (18), who spent the winter in Dubai, had the daughter of Mujadil up with the pace throughout to beat Crystal Wind, trained by Paddy's elder brother Kevin, by one and a half lengths. Aunty Catherine, a 25 to 1 chance who paid £97.40 for a win on the Tote, could run next in the listed Athasi Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, May 2nd.
A fortunate few Tote patrons enjoyed an even bigger return in the following Kill Maiden Hurdle, where Tower Project returned a winning dividend of £151.30. The Project Manager filly led two out under Willie Slattery to beat Mantles Prince by a length.
Knockdoo ensured the Jackpot pool of £5,098 was carried forward to the next Naas meeting, on Sunday May 17th, with Emmett Stack (20) steering the Francis Flood-trained gelding to a three-quarter-length victory in the Newbridge Handicap.
Tipperary handler Donald Swan saddled an across-the-card double, with Mighty Marble winning at Down Royal and Like A Lion, ridden by his son Charlie, following up just quarter of an hour later in the Kildare Hurdle.
The odds-on favourite Magical Lady looked sure to score when looming alongside Like A Lion at the second last. However, she came off the bridle after the last and Like A Lion lived up to his name for a hard earned half-length win. "He ran a cracker from 7lb out of the handicap in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, and I will find a race for him at Punchestown," said the winning trainer.
Shane Kelly gave Love Heart an enterprising ride in the Celbridge Handicap, to beat Earp by three and a half lengths.
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