| Course: LEOPARDSTOWN | Race date:02/07/08 | Race time:6:00 | Runners:21 |
| Race distance:1m2f | Going:Good To Firm | Winners time:2m 5.40s |
Emy Bright tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead before straight, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well
Show Blessed prominent early, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed before straight, ridden in 2nd over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
Akimbo chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on under pressure to 5th over 1f out, kept on same pace
Paddy´s Day chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden before straight, 9th 2f out, kept on final furlong
Saucy mid-division, 9th before straight, ridden in 8th 2f out, stayed on under pressure to 6th over 1f out, kept on same pace
The Gnathologist chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
Isent She Rich chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
Singora Lady mid-division, ridden in 10th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
Distant Piper chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden into 6th 2f out, soon no extra, kept on one pace
Espartano held up towards rear, some headway to 11th entering straight, ridden and kept on same pace on outer
Pinguina towards rear, some headway entering straight, no impression from 2f out
Man Of Aran soon led, ridden and headed before straight, soon no extra, weakened from over 2f out
Only Heather mid-division best, weakened over 3f out
Marching Sandy slowly into stride, always towards rear
Glenmuir mid-division, ridden in 12th entering straight, soon no extra
Tau Tona never a factor
Nicomedia always towards rear
Milford Lady chased leaders, weakened halfway
Amarula Ridge in rear of mid-division, weakened before straight
Windhover always towards rear, tailed off
Lady Of The Park mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f, soon hampered, tailed off
Not for the first time this season, Jim Bolger acquired the services of the talented Danny Mullins and the duo once again hit the mark after the young jockey kicked into a clear lead turning into the straight. From there onwards, there was only going to be one winner. Havingfailed to trouble the judge in any of her previous seven starts, the winner had the aid of first-time blinkers, which helped her cause. This was Danny Mullins' seventh career win to continue his promising start to his riding career, five of which have been for Jim Bolger.
Having filled the runner-up position on three of his previous four starts, Show Blessed experienced the same fate having been settled in second position in the early stages. Going well 3f out, having joined pace-setter Man Of Aran, the runner-up came under pressure once joined by the winner but did stay on again inside the final furlong to continue his run of second-placed finishes.
Akimbo had put up a couple of mediocre efforts in his three runs this season, but his third-placed effort was an improvement on both of those having raced prominently within the chasing pack early on. Having turned seventh into the straight, he stayed on best of most to claim third and, while his previous effort over 1m4f was well below par, it might be worth having another crack with Akimbo over that trip.
Isn't She Rich looked likely to finish in the placings when turning into the straight in fourth position, but faded from there onwards, while another horse to fade late on was Man Of Aran, who dictated the early pace.
Milford Lady was making her first handicap start after three below-par efforts in competitive maidens and raced well for a good deal of this contest, while LadyOf The Park appeared to collide with the running rail 4f out when well out of contention and under pressure.
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