Nice shock for Maura!

Kells trainer Maura McGuinness caused a shock in the second race at Down Royal last night when 25/1 chance Afram Blue obliged and paid a massive €191.70 on the Tote. She was two-handed in the race with previous Down Royal winner Kyoto Summit which could only finish 12th. However, the trainer only found out on Friday afternoon that Afram Blue (a reserve) would get a run. Jockey Ian McCarthy received a one day ban for his use of the whip on the winner which is owned by the Galapagos Syndicate and had won twice on the flat when trained in England as a juvenile and a three-year-old. The Galway Festival is the short-term objective with another run likely before that. Robert Power won the opening race at Down Royal for trainer Ken Condon. The Stamullen father and son team of Peter (trainer) and Oliver (jockey) Casey combined to win a handicap at the Ulster track with Desert Ben which could be sent for a similar typre race at The Curragh next. Noel Meade was also on the mark with the former John Oxx-trained Still Point which won a seven-furlong maiden for Fran Berry. Meade was also on the mark at Cork where Paul Carberry won with Jakros. Carberry also completed a double with Chino Valdes for Gordon Elliott. Jockey Barry Geraghty and trainer Tony Martin were also on the mark at the Munster track.