The Tooth Fairy strikes again
Oristown, Kells trainer Michael Mulvany added another winner to his tally for the season when he sent the ultra-consistent The Tooth Fairy to win in fine style at Down Royal on Saturday. The Tooth Fairy, which won earlier this year at Dundalk on the all-weather, did well as a three-year-old to beat mainly older rivals for promising apprentice Gary Carroll, a grandson of legendary Kildalkey jockey Frankie Carroll who was one of the top national hunt riders in the 1960s and "70s. It also provided Gary Carroll with his seventh success of the season as The Tooth Fairy led inside the final furlong and went on to defeat the front-running Worldly Wise by two and a half lengths. 'This horse is pretty versatile, anywhere from five to seven furlongs and he"ll probably stay a mile in time, he might be one to watch for Galway,' stated the trainer. Carroll completed his first double when he won the Ladbrokes.com Handicap on the Des McDonogh-trained Articilitis which won for the first time after 13 unsuccessful runs. Joanna Morgan was on the mark at the Ulster track with Danetime Lily on Friday night and saddled her second winner at the Down Royal Festival on Sunday when La Petite Bleue added to her Fairyhouse victory of a fortnight ago. Morgan, who won the Meath Chronicle / Cusack Hotels sports personality for January suggested that she would run La Petite Bleue again as soon as possible. Keagan Latham took the riding honours at Down Roayal on Friday as he completed a double. He won the Tote Ireland Handicap on the Willie McCreery-trained Liberty Island and the concluding Tote Ireland Maiden on the Ger Lyons-trained Dunne Grand. Navan jockey Andrew Thornton was also on the mark on Sunday when Lucky At Last, a three in-a-row winner last year, got back to winning ways by defying top-weight with a brave performance to take a handicap hurdle for Slane-based trainer Pat Martin. 'He"ll go to Bellewstown next for a three-mile handicap hurdle - he is unbeaten there and hopefully it"ll stay that way,' stated Martin Moynalty handler Des McDonogh was in the winners" enclosure again on Sunday at Gowran Park. Cothrom Na Feinne, ridden by Willie Supple, caused a 33/1 shock when winning a handicap event half an hour after the trainer"s son Declan McDonogh rode the opening winner at the venue. 'That"s Willie Supple"s first winner for me since a horse called Majestic Wolf won at Tramore a long time ago,' stated the trainer. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will take place at the Curragh next Sunday with a rematch between the first two home in the Epsom Derby, Sea The Stars and Fame And Glory, on the cards. John Oxx has stated that Sea The Stars will only run if the ground stays firmer than good. As an extra incentive for patrons this year, the stars of racing will be joined by the stars of the culinary world when 15 of Ireland"s top restaurants and chefs bring a Taste of Ireland to the venue serving a range of their signature dishes for only €8 each.