ROSEWELL HOUSE trainer Dermot Weld and rider Pat Shanahan combined to record a short paced double at Tipperary last evening. Shanahan, deputising for Michael Kinane, who returns to action at the Curragh tomorrow after serving a two day York suspension, initiated the brace on the well bred Hamad in the Roscrea Maiden.
The son of Sadler's Wells forged ahead over two furlongs from home and needed all of Shanahan's urgings to hold the persistent challenge of the John Oxx trained newcomer, Katiysa, by a head.
Weld spoke highly of Shanahan's riding saying. "He rode a smashing finish and needed all his strength to win there."
The Curragh handler was again complimentary after the Tipperary born rider landed the Golden Race on Escrito who just prevailed by a head from Matsuri and John Murtagh.
"He is as strong a flat race rider that rides in Ireland today including Mick Kinane," said Weld, who added that Shanahan will ride Touch Judge in the Italian Derby in Rome on Sunday. Also taking part in the Italian Classic is the Aidan O'Brien trained His Excellence who will be ridden by Stephen Craine.
Willie Mullins, who landed the bumper at Leopardstown on Wednesday evening with Palette, drew level with Frances Crowley in the amateur championship race when he held the effort of Sheisagale in yesterday's penultimate bumper on Toureen Gale.
Slayjay, despite drifting from evens to 2 to 1, annihilated her eight rivals to win the opening Elm Maiden under Willie Supple. Running over the minimum trip for the first time, the daughter of Mujtahid who cost 26,000 guineas as a yearling at Goffs, showed a blistering turn of foot when drawing clear at the furlong pole to win eased down by six lengths.
Renata's Prince survived a stewards' inquiry to win the Limerick Junction Handicap by the minimum margin for trainer Jessica Harrington.
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