Shane Kelly moved to the head of the Apprentice Championship when recording his 19th winner of the season aboard Bamford Castle in the McHale Engineering Rated Race at Ballinrobe last night.
Kelly, currently one ahead of last year's champion Eddie Ahern, sent the Paddy Mullins-trained colt to the front a furlong out for a one and a half length success from favourite Crown Brief.
John Murtagh is in pole position to win back the Flat Championship he held in 1995 and 1996, and the Meath rider notched up his 49th winner of the current campaign when Hartstown Girl justified favouritism in the Corrib Oil Maiden.
Eddie Lynam's filly travelled strongly throughout and, despite hating the ground according to Murtagh, kept on well in the final furlong to beat Jacks Estate by one and a half lengths.
Declan McDonogh, who partnered Midnight Gale in this event, rapped his knee in the starting stalls and was stood down by Turf Club doctor Walter Halley for the remainder of the evening.
Jason Titley gave Phardy a confident ride to take the John McMahon Contractor Handicap Chase, although the race was effectively decided at the last where Cnocadrum, who held a narrow lead but was apparently not travelling as well as the eventual winner, cocked his jaw and ran out.
Connections of Silver Patriarch are brimming with confidence for the colt's big Ascot examination on Saturday after he gained top marks for his homework yesterday. Tested on trainer John Dunlop's gallops, the grey signalled that he was in prime shape for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
"I went down to Arundel to see him do his final piece of fast work and the trainer and lad who rides are both very happy," said owner-breeder Peter Winfield.
Silver Patriarch, a general 5 to 1 in betting for the middle-distance spectacular, will be running over the famous Ascot terrain for the first time.
Swain was the main mover in the betting on the back of Frankie Dettori's decision to ride him rather than Daylami. Last year's winner, below-par in his last two outings, is now a best-priced 9 to 2 after being available at 6 to 1.
