Spaniard Ricardo Sanz, who last week tasted victory at Royal Ascot, had his colours carried to victory in the Ballinrobe Maiden courtesy of Marlene-D last evening. Sanz and Mike Watt jointly own San Sebastian, who landed the Queen Alexander Stakes at Ascot.
Sent off at 12 to 1 last night, Eddie Ahern arrived late aboard Michael Grassick's filly, along with Star Trooper and Pat Shanahan, to just pip Dermot Weld's odds-on favourite Ryan's Brief in the dying strides.
Shanahan gained compensation in the next when teaming up with Donie Hassett's Aine's Choice while Pat Smullen, who looked set to collect aboard Ryan's Brief turning-in, found the winners enclosure after the sprint handicap when scoring on Michael Holden's Magical Peace. Jason Titley looked assured of victory aboard Correal Owl in the Beginners Chase but disaster struck at the third last when the 7 to 1 chance slipped on landing and unseated the Clare rider.
His exit handed the initiative to the Charlie Swan-trained 7 to 4 market principal Sparkey Smith who capitalised in no uncertain terms when coming home a full six lengths clear under David Casey.
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