Dublin trainer backing Meath to beat Kerry!
The members of the 'From Little Acorns Syndicate' enjoyed another visit to the winners' enclosure at Gowran Park last Wednesday when their consistent filly Silly Dancer won again.
The six-year-old had scored a fine victory at Leopardstown the previous week and was on the mark again at the Kilkenny track for apprentice jockey Kieran O'Neill which gave him his sixth winner of the season.
"She has come down in the ratings and she loves this place, she won around here before," stated north Co Dublin-based trainer Ado McGuinness.
"She went up as far as 80 last year and won off a good mark today, if we can find something similar for her we will.
"I'm delighted for the owners even if they are from Meath," quipped the Dublin native who told the Meath Chronicle that he would be cheering for Meath when they take on Kerry in the in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday week.
"I had hoped that no one else from Meath would find out about the comments, but now that the Meath Chronicle know about it, well what can I say.
"After Dublin's performance against Kerry I've been on the receiving end from the lads in the syndicate and I've had a few Meath owners in the past, like Eddie Battersby, so I'll jast have to buy a Meath jersey to keep them all happy, what do they say in Meath, up the Royal," he added.
Regarding Silly Dancer, the filly ran again at Dundalk on Saturday and was overhauled by Meath man Johnny Murtagh who secured a double with a last gasp effort on Banna Boirche in the first division of a handicap.
Silly Dancer had looked set to steal it when kicking clear turning for home, but Murtagh denied the syndicate of Declan Byrne, Peter Byrne and Adrian O Donnell from Navan and Jimmy Connolly from Hill of Down a hat-trick of wins.
"Silly Dancer has had a hectic 10 days and will have a rest now before we go for another handicap next month," concluded the trainer.
Murtagh's other winner at Dundalk on Saturday was provided by Ger Lyons. The Bohermeen man produced Achak with a well-timed run to pounce late in the opening sprint.
The Lyons-trained gelding burst through close home to prevail by half a length
"He's off to the USA on Thursday to Santa Anita, hopefully he'll earn his way there," commented Lyons.
Wilkinstown trainer Liam McAteer sent Croisultan to The Curragh on Sunday for a tilt at the Phoenix Sprint.
The Tracey Collins-trained Girouette made all the running to take the race in the hands of Pat Shanahan and saw off Croisultan which finished a close-up fourth.
Meath trainers and jockeys were on the mark at Tramore festival last week.
Barry Geraghty landed the handicap chase on Sunday with the Paul Magnier-trained Duers which finished best of all to follow up on a Kilbeggan victory the previous Saturday.
Nina Carberry recorded her second winner of the festival after she landed a maiden hurdle with the Michael Cullen-trained Major Decision.
She was also successful on Thursday when she partnered the Charlie Swan-trained Sutherland Star to a five-length victory in a ladies race.
Noel Meade won the concluding race on Saturday by a massive 25 lengths when Silverhand scooted home for Fran Berry while on Friday Gordon Elliott and Geraghty were in the winners' enclosure.
Elliott sent Grand Opera to follow up his recent win at Downpatrick when he ran out a game winner of a handicap hurdle.
According to Elliott, Grand Opera may be aimed at Laytown next following success at the annual trip to the beach 12 months ago.
Joanna Morgan teamed-up with Murtagh at Gowran Park last Wednesday to win a handicap with Funatfuntasia.
"He's keen and when he gets to the front he thinks he has enough done, but Johnny gave him a lovely ride," stated the trainer.
ROSCOMMON - MONDAY
Navan businessmen Cathal McCarthy and Eamonn Duignan were in the winners' enclosure at Roscommon on Monday night when jockey Ruby Walsh won a hurdle race witth the Willie Mullins-trained Tarkari which may be aimed at a flat race next.
Meade maintained his recent good form when he sent Seefin Dancer to win a handicap hurdle despite blundering at the last under Paddy Flood.
"He's entered in Kilbeggan on Friday so we'll either go there or try to pick up something similar," stated the trainer.
Stamullen trainer Peter Casey and his son Oliver won a handicap on the flat when Fingal Rock got up in the closing stages for a narrow victory.
The Meath flavour was maintained when declan McDonogh was also on the mark when Rudi Valention won the opening race.
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