SCOTLAND continues to be a happy hunting ground for Irish trainers and Adrian Keatley became the latest to make the journey pay when sending four runners for the Sunday and Monday meetings at Ayr. The 17/2 chance Clifton Miss was first to hit the target when she took a 10-furlong handicap last Sunday.
Clifton Miss made smooth headway on the outside for Sean Corby, who looked good value for his 5lb claim, and went on to beat Henpecked by a couple of lengths.
The winner had not troubled the judge in 10 starts but some of these Class 6 events do not take a great deal of winning.
“She’s funny and a bit highly-strung but the drop in grade and cut in the ground both helped,” the Dunlavin, Co Kildare handler remarked.
Keatley added to his haul on Monday when Michael’s Missile (11/4) broke her maiden in the six-furlong handicap ridden by Sean Corby. Elusive Gent (11/8f) completed the Keatley hat-trick at the meeting when making all in the nine-furlong handicap. The stable just missed out on the four-timer as Lady Ranger could only finish second in the last. Keatley said: “It’s a lovely place with decent ground and they know how to look after you, it’s been a lucky track for us.”
Sean Corby also picked up a spare ride for Heather Dalton and brought home the 12/1 shot Personal Touch first in the seven-furlong handicap to record a 115.7/1 treble.