Sentosa Star made a pleasing debut over fences when comfortably taking the George Moore Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe last night. The gelding was given a confident ride by Richard Dunwoody in what was undoubtedly a modest event, tracking the front-running Shamron until given his head approaching the penultimate fence.
It was at this obstacle that the odds-on favourite encountered his one anxious moment, having to avoid the riderless Kidstuff on the way to a cosy 15-length success.
Winning trainer Michael Hourigan said: "Richard was happy with him following a schooling session after racing at Killarney last week.
He got a bit close to the fourth last here but should improve as the year progresses."
Galway is next on the agenda for Sentosa Star and is also the next port of call for Final Reminder who extended Eddie Ahern's lead at the head of the apprentice championship when winning the the
Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap Series.
Wayne Smith is enjoying a successful run this term, and the useful light-weight moved onto the 11 winner mark for the campaign when
Dolly Dimpler readily outpaced her rivals in the six-furlong Corrib
Natural Orange Juice Handicap.
However, Smith said afterwards that the venue has proved something of a bogey for him in the past and this was in fact his first success at the tight, right-handed track.
