HRI Racing Review

Aidan O"Brien fielded no less than five runners in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday and it was Frozen Fire that emerged on top for him in what was a controversial event. Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, the son of Montjeu swept through on the wide outside to lead close home as there was all sorts of mayhem unfolding on his inside with Allesandro Volta veering across the track and hampering a number of runners. That win completed a double for O"Brien who had earlier saddled Mastercraftsman to win the Railway Stakes under Johnny Murtagh. Elsewhere on the card, the Dandy Nicholls-trained, Adrian Nicholls-ridden Tax Free won the Sapphire Stakes. Promising Lead stars at the Curragh The Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes was the feature race on Saturday"s card and it went the way of the English raider, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Promising Lead. Given a well-judged ride by Ryan Moore, the four-year-old battled gamely to hold off the challenge of Mad About You by 1¼l. Away from the big race, it was once again the Ballydoyle show, with the potent O"Brien and Murtagh combination teaming up to complete a treble. They opened their account with the win of Westphalia in the juvenile maiden before King Of Westphalia won the 10f handicap. However, the highlight undoubtedly came in the Group 3 Curragh Cup with Septimus making an impressive return to action in winning by 2½l. Shimah impresses at the Curragh Kevin Prendergast looks to have a star on his hands in Shimah, who won the Listed Saoire Stakes at the Curragh on Friday evening in impressive fashion. Ridden by Declan McDonogh, the daughter of Storm Cat travelled supremely well throughout and had three lengths to spare over her rivals at the line. Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning continued their fine run of form by completing a double on the card with Marina Of Venice winning the fillies maiden and Ard Fheis winning the 1m handicap. The combination were controversially denied a treble when Tomas An Tsioda, who was the first past the post in the juvenile maiden, who relegated to second behind the Aidan O"Brien-trained, Johnny Murtagh-ridden Rip Van Winkle, having hampered that rival 1f out. Croi Mo Ri prevails at Fairyhouse Trainer Paul Deegan has had a tremendous season thus far and he sent out Croi Mo Ri to win the 7f conditions race at Fairyhouse on Thursday evening. Given a well-judged front-running ride by Willie Supple, the three-year-old eventually came home ¾-length in front of Mojito Royale. Jim Bolger is another trainer that is in red-hot form and he saddled Bravely to win the 7f maiden under Kevin Manning. Elsewhere on the card, Liam McAteer saddled a 1-2 in the opening 6f handicap with Betty Burke and Mick Hussey leading home Fungible and Shane Foley. Meade in double form at Naas Noel Meade was the star performer on Wednesday"s card at Naas, completing a double on the day that included the featured conditions race with The Fist Of God. The three-year-old made all the running and held on by a head to prevail under Mick Kinane. Meade had earlier saddled Miss Fancy Pants to win the 10f handicap under Rory Cleary. David Wachman has been in fine form of late and he also saddled a double on the card, opening his account with the authoritative win of Droumeragh in the juvenile maiden under Wayne Lordan before The Emperor Nero won the 6f maiden in facile fashion under Johnny Murtagh. Gambles galore landed at Sligo There were a number of notable gambles landed at Sligo on Tuesday evening, with the first of them coming in the opening 12f handicap. Trained by Noel Meade, Mythical Prince was backed from 11/2 into 3/1 and ran out the 1½l winner under Fran Berry. There was no respite for the bookmakers, as later on the card the Michael Hourigan Junior-trained Kaffarnie justified support from 14/1 into 9/2 when landing the maiden hurdle under Eoin McCarthy. Elsewhere on the card, Willie and Patrick Mullins combined with Sir Vincent to win the concluding bumper. Flynn continues good run at Kilbeggan Rookie trainer Paul Flynn continued the solid start to his career at Kilbeggan on Monday evening, saddling Kalellshan to land a gamble in the 2m maiden hurdle. Ridden by Paul Carberry, the strongly-backed favourite ran out the victor by three lengths. The 3m handicap hurdle witnessed a thrilling finished with the Michael Winters-trained Western Devil narrowly prevailing under Mikey O"Connor. Elsewhere on the card, the 3m novice hurdle saw a game victory for the Denis Coakley-trained, Ross Coakley-ridden Rossgavand. New Approach Injured Epsom Derby hero New Approach was withdrawn from the Irish Derby on the morning of the race last Sunday. Trainer Jim Bolger had reported on the previous Friday evening that his star colt had bruised a foot and was a doubt for the race and with the colt failing to respond to treatment, he was pulled out of the race. Bolger does not know the extent of the injury yet, but he has confirmed that the colt will definitely not run in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday. Sublimity Switched to Hennessy Sublimity, the winner of the 2007 Champion Hurdle, is to be moved from the John Carr yard to be trained by Robert Hennessy, the son of the horse"s owner, Bill Hennessy. While losing the horse is a blow to the Carr yard, it will give Robert an incredible opportunity to make a memorable start to his training career. Upcoming Fixtures Leopardstown - Wed. 2nd July Bellewstown - Thursday 3rd July Bellewstown - Friday 4th July Wexford - Friday 4th July Bellewstown - Saturday 5th July Gowran Park - Sunday 6th July Limerick - Sunday 6th July