Buckaroo back with a bang

BUCKAROO made a winning return to action, after a lengthy absence, at Leopardstown on Wednesday when claiming the Listed Heritage Stakes.

The Qatar Racing-owned colt had been a leading fancy for last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas, a race in which he finished sixth.

Joseph O’Brien’s charge hadn’t seen the racecourse since after suffering serious illness following his classic run.

The son of Fastnet Rock went to post a 5/2 shot on his comeback in the listed contest and was prominent throughout under Oisin Murphy.

He hit the front a furlong from home and held a determined challenge from last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs to record a neck victory.

The winning rider said afterwards: “We must really thank the team at Joseph O’Brien’s because in the middle of last year he was quite sick and all the staff at Carriganóg, and the vets, did a good job to nurse him back to health. It was looking like it was going to be a real battle.

“I was slowly away on one here on Sunday so I didn’t want the same thing to happen so I gave him a little nudge out and he relaxed in the race.

“It was a sit and sprint sort of race. When she (Homeless Songs) loomed up, she’s a very good filly and she put up a battle. I loved his attitude, he switched back to his outside lead and put his ears back and tried hard. They are admirable qualities.

“Joseph did say he had a little away day at the Curragh but an older horse like this is always bound to improve from a race.”

Savethelastdance went to post a 20/1 shot in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and made most of the running for a convincing two-and-a-half length win over stablemate Boogie Woogie.

“She had a nice run last year and obviously she handled the ground well and she stays well,” said O’Brien of the Galileo filly, a daughter of American Oaks winner Daddys Lil Darling. “She’ll go into a trial now and she’ll get further.”

O’Brien also ran three in the following Aparto Student Maiden and Wayne Lordan was again on the right one as The Prairie got on top inside the final furlong.

The Galileo colt claimed front-running stablemate Duke Cador in the closing stages to record a two-length win at odds of 7/2.

“He had a nice run (when fourth) in Killarney last year,” said O’Brien. “He’s bred to get a mile and a half. Wayne had a lovely position on him, Seamus (Heffernan) went an even gallop in front, and he picked up and galloped home. Wayne liked him loads.

“He got a mile and a quarter very well there in heavy ground and he’s obviously going to get a mile and a half well. He’s a horse to look forward to.”

Grab the spoils

O’Brien’s main hope was narrowly denied in the mile maiden later on the card as Fleetfoot nailed Farnborough on the line to grab the spoils for Jim Bolger.

The Teofilo colt had been placed on three runs last season, including finishing third to Al Riffa, and gained a deserved victory.

Rory Cleary got a good tune from his mount in the closing stages as he put his head down at the post for a short-head victory.

“His form was good last year. He usually only got mugged by a very good horse and he’s a better three-year-old than he was a two-year-old,” said Bolger.

“He handled that well and I’d say he’ll go on any ground. I’d say he’ll go all the way trip wise.”

CRISTAL Clere bagged a quick follow up win at Leopardstown when claiming the SHEIN Cup Handicap for John Nallen.

The trainer’s nephew had won on the Harzand gelding on the preceding Sunday at the Dublin track and was back on board in the 10-furlong contest.

He produced the 7/4 favourite to challenge inside the final furlong and the pair got on top in the closing stages for a half-length win over Timourid.

“That’s brilliant, I’m delighted. He was a little horse we bought to win a maiden in Belharbour but he went a different direction,” said Nallen.

“Seanie said he was feeling the surface at Dundalk the last day and changing his legs. We didn’t know how he’d go on the ground on Sunday, we were just hoping he would.

“He jumps hurdles and fences so hopefully he’ll rock on.”

All Lies Ahead could turn out again quickly herself after her victory in the SPIN1038 Handicap for Willie McCreery.

The 100/30 favourite came with a strong run to lead inside the final furlong, under Billy Lee, and take the seven-furlong contest by a neck from Loingseoir.

McCreery said afterwards:- “She’s only learning her trade, she’s raw and that’s why I wanted to get her going.

“Dave Hyland bred her and I’m delighted for him. She’s done nothing wrong on all her runs and I thought she was off a nice rating.

“We’ll see what he (handicapper) does to her, I might declare her for Cork on Saturday.”

Asisaid shocks

The Pat Murphy-trained Asisaid sprang a 20/1 shock in the ITBA Next Generation Handicap after getting in as second reserve in the seven-furlong contest.

Gavin Ryan produced the Ivawood gelding to lead over a furlong from home and he stuck on well in the closing stages to post a neck victory over Patrick Street.

“We thought a bit of him last year and he seems to have matured a bit now,” said Murphy, who trains the winner for the Tylery Road Syndicate.

“He was a bit backward physically and mentally. We knew he’d do a job but we just didn’t think he’d do it as quickly. He got a little bit sore on us last year and I think the cut in the ground helps him.”

James McAuley’s decision to try Bringsty back on the turf reaped rewards as the Muhaarar gelding landed the concluding nine-furlong handicap under Colin Keane.

The five-year-old was claimed at Dundalk last month and was making just his second outing for McAuley.

Having travelled well into the straight the 17/2 shot picked up inside the final furlong to beat Neverfindanotheru by two and a half lengths.

“He came with a reputation of having problems, he probably does but they haven’t surfaced just yet!” said McAuley.

“He has lumps on his back, he half looks like a camel, with whatever back job was done on him. The pleasure that Jim (Gough) gets from leading horses in is what it’s all about.”