First winner for Broderick in six years

Tipperary Racing Scene

Gavin Ryan partnered an easy winner at Fairyhouse on Wednesday as the Tony Martin-trained Nibiru took the rated race over the extended 13 furlongs.

In the well-known colours of owner John Breslin, the seven-year-old skipped clear early inside the final furlong to beat the Michael Grassick-trained Stellium by two lengths. A return trip to the Galway festival, where he ran twice last year, might well be on the cards.

Third reserve The Cola Brasil made the most of his late call up to take the opening division of the seven-furlong handicap. The Patrick Moyles-owned chance also had plenty in hand at the line as he won by a length and three-parts from the Craig O’Neill-trained Sondheim for Michael Browne and Jake Coen.

Hilary McLoughlin won the second division of the same race with the John O'Connor-owned Cool Leader. Ridden by Billy Lee, his 50th winner of the season, the well-supported favourite came home a two-length winner from the Denis Hogan-trained Royal Tribute.

The Paddy Twomey-trained Rosscarbery just held on to win the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Billy Lee had the favourite in front a furlong and a half from home and she just did enough to repel the late lunge of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Emily Dickinson by a shorthead.

The Robert Moran-owned four-year-old is now the winner of five of her six starts this season and she was back to winning ways after being disqualified from third place in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last time after her rider, Wayne Lordan, weighed in 5lbs light, a matter that remains under investigation by the IHRB.

Howyoulikethat gave Thurles trainer Hilary McLoughlin her second winner in two days when taking the eight-furlong handicap. With Ben Coen in the saddle, the Top Five Syndicate-owned chance came from off the pace and impressed with his two and a quarter-length win over the Noel Meade-trained Might And Mercy.

The father and son team of Andy & Andrew Slattery combined to win the opening seven-furlong handicap at Limerick on Thursday with Flame Of Eire. The 11/2 chance led at the furlong pole and had half a length to spare over the Ado McGuinness-trained Clarinbridge at the line.

Shane Crosse gave Joseph O'Brien the first of two winners at the meeting as favourite Sir Antonino took the eight-furlong maiden. The three-year-old made all the running and held to late surge of the Michael O’Meara-trained Roman Bull to win by a neck.

John Ryan was a winner at both Kilbeggan and Cork on Friday. At the midland’s venue, he teamed up with Danny Mullins to take the three-mile handicap hurdle with Waitnsee. Owned by Mark Fleming and Geoff Bruce, the 11/1 chance raced up with the pace and got the better of the Willie Mullins-trained favourite Rock Road by a length and three-parts despite a slipped saddle. The winner will go back over fences for the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase next.

The three-mile maiden hurdle at Cork also went Ryan’s way as Donagh Meyler partnered Ramondo Dnzeo to a three and a quarter-length win over the Harry Kelly-trained Mistys Gift.

Lihyan credited Josh Halley with his first winner as a trainer when landing the opening maiden hurdle at Cork on Friday. Ridden by Ricky Doyle, the 17/2 shot led before halfway and made the best of his way home to score by four lengths from the Andy Slattery-trained Burren Song.

Halley said, “That is my first runner, and I was granted my license a week ago. I did the course last month and have taken over from my dad John at home as he is busier than ever.”

Another Fethard trainer in the winners’ enclosure was Liam O'Brien who took the two and a half-mile mares’ handicap hurdle with the Conor McNamara-ridden We’llgowats. The 16/1 chance, in the trainer’s own colours, got the better of the Jimmy Barcoe-trained Frazel Express to win by three-parts of a length.

Aidan O'Brien helped Wayne Lordan to a double at Navan on Saturday. The Cork jockey partnered the Andy Oliver-trained As It Was to take the auction series maiden over the extended five furlongs and followed up in the 10-furlong conditions’ race on O'Brien’s Sussex. The 15/8 chance made all the running to win by two and a quarter lengths from Johnny Murtagh’s Shajak.

Shane Broderick registered his first winner in almost six years as the Raymond Loughnane-owned Sphagnum took the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle at Sligo on Sunday.

Ridden by Denis O'Regan, the 7/1 chance led at the final flight to beat Philip Fenton’s Zaccarela by eight lengths to give Broderick a first success since Black Benny, also ridden by O’Regan, won at Down Royal in August 2016.

John Ryan rounded off a good weekend as the Harry Swan-ridden On The Sixth Day took the concluding bumper. The six-year-old heads to the Galway festival for a winners’ bumper after beating the Denis Murphy-trained Eire Street by a length and a quarter in the colours of owner Sean Monaghan.

Upcoming Meetings

Downpatrick – Wednesday, July 13 (First Race 3.10pm)

Killarney – Wednesday, July 13 (First Race 5.00pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, July 14 (First Race 5.15pm)

Killarney – Thursday, July 13 (First Race 5.30pm)

Killarney – Friday, July 15 (First Race 2.15pm)

Kilbeggan – Friday, July 15 (First Race 5.30pm)

Curragh – Saturday, July 16 (First Race 1.30pm)

Curragh – Sunday, July 17 (First Race 1.35pm)

Tipperary – Sunday, July 17 (First Race 1.50pm)