A STEP Too Far continued her scintillating run of form when completing a four-timer in the featured Troytown Bar Handicap at Navan last Saturday.
Kieran Cotter’s charge proved too hot to handle for her rivals in the €21,000 contest as the 4/1 shot made all under Adam Farragher in the five-furlong event.
The Footstepsinthesand filly was strongly pressed in the final furlong by Miacomet and Tide Of Time but found plenty close home to record a three-parts-of-a-length win over the former.
Cotter, who trains the winner for Sinead Dunne, is eyeing another big prize now.
“She has so much raw speed that horses have to work hard to get to her. Four in a row in this country is a big achievement.
“Four weeks ago we had an eye on the Joe McGrath towards the end of the month so she’d be entitled to go and have a crack there. We’ve had great fun with her.”
It was the first leg of a double for Farragher who completed his brace when Lady De Vesci scored for his boss Michael Halford in the apprentice handicap.
The 9/1 shot quickened up well to lead inside the final furlong and post a two-length success over L’Un Deux Trois.
She was gaining a deserved success for owners Anita Soros amd John Keogh after some solid performances this year and Farragher said:
“It’s her first win on turf but she’s been unlucky a couple of times. That’s my first double and I’m delighted to get it, very happy.”
SARAH Dawson is hoping for big things from Diamond Eyes after she burned off her rivals in the opening Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden for two-year-old fillies.
The 18/1 shot showed plenty of boot to go clear early, under Alan Persse, and had enough up her sleeve late on to hold Watercolormemories by half a length.
“We had an awful draw in Dundalk and if she hadn’t been drawn so wide she would have won first time out,” said the winning trainer. “We’ll probably try her in a fillies’ listed race now, I think a lot of her.” The filly runs in the colours of the Diamond Eyes Syndicate.
Ballydoyle colt Lipizzaner returned from a short break to open his account on his fourth outing in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
Seamie Heffernan was always to the fore on the 8/11 favourite and his mount held Coulthard in the closing stages to record a half-length win in the five-furlong contest.
“Aidan said the only way I’d get beat is if I tried to win too far. He said he was just ready to start back,” revealed Heffernan.
Bellick on the bob
The second division of the Navanracecourse.ie Handicap produced a thrilling finish as the John McConnell-trained Bellick narrowly got the verdict for owners Rockview Racing Club.
He flashed past the post locked together with Improving and it emerged that Siobhan Rutledge’s mount had his head down at the right time to record the narrowest of margins in the extended five-furlong contest.
In the first heat Hell Left Loose recorded a more clear-cut victory for Denis Hogan, Joe Doyle and owner Vincent Carroll. The 4/1 joint-favourite kicked on over a furlong to beat Bluepower by a length-and-three-quarters.
Bolger continues fine run
KEVIN Manning felt a step up to a mile and six furlongs made all the difference for Paistiul as she opened her account at the 14th attempt.
Jim Bolger’s daughter of Dawn Approach, sent off a 14/1 shot, was ridden to lead over a furlong out and kept on well in the closing stages to hold Arcland by half a length. Paul Flynn recorded a welcome winner when Robin Des Sheikh, in the colours of Neal Flynn, Ian Walsh and Clare Howes claimed the concluding mile maiden in fine style.
Luke McAteer was soon in front and his mount kicked a few lengths clear over a furlong out to record a two-and-a-half-length over Dark Pine. The winner could now be sold.