SPACE TRUCKER tailed by only a head to concede 1 1/2 stone to the dual winner Taits Clock in last evening's Nash's Mineral Waters Handicap Hurdle.
Considering that the Galway Hurdle runner-up is better suited to good ground and that he had been recently raised 3lb without winning a race it was a good performance.
"Being raised 3lb on relevant form - after Mystical City and Just Little had both won after Galway - made all the difference. It is not fair," said Space Trucker's trainer Jessica Harrington who, if the ground is good will run her charge in a couple of hurdle races in England during September and October. The Donie Hassett-trained winner will be seen next at Listowel.
Charlie Swan suffered a hairline fracture of a collarbone after he fell with the favourite Young Dubliner at the fourth fence in the Beginners Chase. It was the seven-times champion's first ride at the meeting, but he will be back in action in about three weeks, certainly in time for Listowel. Vain Princess took up the running after the fall of Young Dubliner and there she stayed to beat a mistake-prone Cullenstown Lady. The winner is due for a soft palate operation today.
Scottish born Lynne Dykes stole a march on her rivals when landing Afarka the eight length winner of the Carrolls Rose Of Tralee Ladies Race having poached a 10-length lead on the far side of the course. Dykes, who rode as an apprentice for the late Alex Scott and also for Bill Watts, has now ridden three winners for John Oxx and he trains Afarka for the Dundalk Racing Club, whose employers sponsor this race.
Since forming their syndicate in 1983 the club have won 37 races and almost £250,000 in prize money. Gariyba, their Galway G.P.T. Amateur Handicap winner runs in today's Carling Gold Cup.
Third behind Swift Cert on Sunday, Choosey's Treasure readily turned the tables in the two-furlong shorter Tankard Bar Handicap. The Christy Roche-partnered winner challenged a furlong out and drew clear.
Successful with General Allgood in last year's Patsy Byrne, Paddy Norris Maiden, Con Collins saddled Animagic to win the same. event, and win, going away by nine. lengths. Having run well at the Curragh on his previous outing it only remained to see how he would handle the different going.
Smartly away, he settled and arrived with his run early in the straight, picking up Missigoni who swerved towards the rails. Collins has not missed a meeting here since it was opened in its present form 50 years ago.
The Dermot Weld-trained debutante Absolute Glee wore down Sublime Beauty to get up in the last stride and win the Lee Strand O'Brien Cup in the hands of Michael Kinane.
