Eye Catchers July 2023
Maze Runner – 10th in 6.40 Galway 31/07/23
Maze Runner finished tenth in the Amateur jockeys Connacht Hotel Handicap at Galway. He was dropped out the back of the field and lost loads of ground going wide around the final bend. He was eased after that but looked like he could have finished fifth if ridden out. He has been dropped a further 2 lbs by the handicapper and don’t be surprised if he shows improvement over the next couple of runs.
Buddy One – 7th in 8.20 Killarney 18/07/23
I tipped Buddy One with the service and he showed enough to suggest he was getting primed for Galway in 2 weeks. Derek O’Connor got him into a lovely position on the rail and he let the door get closed in my opinion at a crucial time of the race. He stayed on to the line when beaten. The hill in Galway will suit this lad perfectly as we saw at Cheltenham and Paul Gilligan loves having a winner at his local track
Gentle And Kind – 2nd in 5.00 Kilbeggan 14/07/23
Gentle And Kind finished second at Kilbeggan behind the talented but delicate Castra Vetera. The pair were 13 lengths clear of the third and this was an above average performance for a mare. Castra Vera was a three times bumper winner, the last one at listed level. It was also her fifth race over hurdles where Gentle And Kind was having just her first run over hurdles coming from the Irish P2P scene.
Angel Shared – 4th in 2.40 Catterick 12/07/23
Angel Shared should be capable of winning a Fillies Maiden next time. She blew the start and any chances of winning when starting slowly from stall9. The first three home all raced prominently and Angel Shared was the only horse to make ground from the rest. She was second on her penultimate start when she jumped from the stalls fine so hopefully this was a once off and she starts well next time which would give her every chance.
Onlyamatteroftime – 3rd in 5.35 Roscommon 10/07/23
Onlyamatteroftime gave up any chance of winning this race when losing 5 or 6 lengths over the first two hurdles. The first five home except him were prominent throughout and they got a soft lead out front. His jumping should improve for this run and he is capable of picking up a weak maiden hurdle over the coming weeks. I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to be the best horse to come out of this race down the line.
Katonah – 7th in 5.40 Naas 08/07/23
Katonah went off 22/1 for her handicap debut at Leopardstown last month and finished fifth of fourteen under jockey Leigh Roche. Champion jockey Colin Keane took over in the saddle and Katonah was a well fancied 5/1 joint second favourite. She was on the rail throughout and got absolutely no run after being continuously short of room throughout the closing stages. She was travelling strongly enough to suggest a mark of 63 is within her capability and with a bit more luck should be very competitive next time out.
Heavenly Being – 7th in 2.10 Naas 08/07/23
Heavenly Being is a well bred filly by Night Of Thunder who was making her debut for the Harrington team. She was very green out of the stalls and had to make up plenty of ground in the early stages. She was switched left two furlongs out and stayed on well in the final stages without reaching the leaders. Jockey Shane Foley wasn’t over hard on her and she will have learnt plenty. She should be capable of going close in a Fillies Maiden.