AILLEACHT readily reversed recent Curragh handicap placings with Sunset Reigns in last evening's listed four runner Tipperary Directors Sprint. She won in 55.9 seconds, which was faster than when she was short headed by Lidanna over the same Tipperary five furlongs two months ago.
Meeting Sunset Reigns on 8lb better for three and a half lengths, however, Ailleach had every chance of turning the tables. The duo disputed the running until Ailleacht, racing on the outside, got the upper hand 200 yards out to win by a length and a half with Slayjay relegating Mitch to last place.
In the absence of the suspended Kevin Manning, Ailleacht was ridden by Ted Durcan. Manning's suspension, incurred at Bellewstown, ends tomorrow but he injured his right thigh when kicked after falling with his mount at Naas on Wednesday evening and is still sore. He hopes to resume tomorrow when Jim Bolger will have runners at Gowran Park and may also send Diamond Display for the Ulster Harp Derby.
Bolger has no firm plans for the speedy Ailleacht. "I will play it by ear. I had hoped she would win at Leopardstown," he said, referring to the filly's short head defeat the Gay Kelleway trained Anzio in the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes early last month.
Christy Roche kicked for home fully three furlongs out on the Aidan O'Brien trained Cashel Princess to win the Glenvale Stud Maiden and initiate a stable double, completed by Promising Route in the Coolmore Stud Handicap. Cashel Princess was never in danger of being caught and drew clear inside the distance to beat Broken Rites by three and a half lengths.
The newcomer Just Mimi lay down in the stalls and lashed out in panic before extricating herself. She was withdrawn.
Roche continued in top form with another well executed success on Promising Route. Responding to pressure the El Gran Senor filly led close home to beat Short Shift by two lengths.
That promising young amateur Ruby Walsh was also seen to effect when producing Pat O'Leary's Texas Friday with an impeccably timed challenge to overhaul Bronica and Jack Yeats close home and win the Camas Park Stud Handicap.
Joanna Morgan landed the Kilross Maiden on Silly View, the first horse she has both trained and ridden. She claimed the winner, who drew clear of Laced Memories inside the final furlong, was "knocked down" at Roscommon last Monday.
. Pat Eddery's loss was John Carroll's gain when Head Over Heels romped home at Chepstow last evening.
The 10 time champ ion jockey missed riding the John Gosden juvenile in the Fleur de Lys Maiden Stakes as his taxi was late after a flight from Newmarket.
Eddery moved on to 98 for the season when 8 to 13 shot Panata took the closing Straight Mile Handicap by a length and three quarters from Paint It Black.
