Wayne Smith recorded his first winners since returning from a successful winter stint in Dubai when partnering a double aboard the Declan Gillespie-trained pair Letsimpress and Guest Artist at Ballinrobe.
Smith, runner-up to Gary Hind in the Dubai jockeys championship with 36 wins including the Guineas and Derby on Victory Moon, had Letsimpress prominent throughout in the two-year-old auction maiden. She quickened nicely entering the straight, and kept on well to beat Mrs St George by a length and a half.
'She was a little unlucky on her debut at Navan but that experience counted here, and she really quickened around the bend. She will continue in auction races, and we'll find a winners race next,' said Gillespie.
Guest Artist completed a 57/1 double for the Smith/Gillespie combination in the nine furlong handicap, also leading off the final bend to beat favourite Lucky Largo by two lengths. He will bid for a quick follow up at Gowran next week.
Dual champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea took the other Flat race on the card when the Dermot Weld-trained Ivowen got the better of Sauterelle inside the final furlong to score by three quarters of a length.
Dusseldorf got her chasing career off to a successful start when landing the two mile beginners chase under David Casey. The five-year-old mare, trained and bred by Austin Leahy, stretched away from the front-running Poetry Man between the final two fences for a seven length victory. 'She is a natural jumper, and receiving plenty of weight was also a big help,' said the Limerick trainer.
Askeaton permit-holder David Fitzgerald saddled his second winner in the space of six days when Iaskofyou, returned 10/1 having been at least double those odds in morning price lists, took the two and a half miles handicap chase. Mark Grant sent the six-year-old clear before two out to beat Goodnight Mike by six lengths, and Fitzgerald said afterwards, 'I have six horses in for the summer, but buying and selling is my main business. This fellow could run again over three miles at Killarney next Tuesday.'
Bodakker followed up his handicap win at Gowran last Sunday with a game success in the novice hurdle. Sam Curling's mount rallied on the run-in to peg back Distant Truce for a length and a half verdict.
The Boys In Green sent punters home happy when landing the odds under champion amateur Alan Crowe in the bumper.
Alan Magee
