RACING: Frances Crowley has her string in fine form at present and she teamed up with husband Pat Smullen to capture the featured Goffs Autumn Bonus at Cork on Saturday with Blue Corrig.
Homebred by his Tramore owner Dick Forristal, Blue Corrig struck the front three furlongs out to account for the staying-on Desert Glow by a length and a listed race could now feature on the blinkered gelding's agenda.
Pat Cosgrave is reaping the rewards of a fine season and the northern-born apprentice combined with Irene Oakes to record a double. The duo got proceedings off to the perfect start by collecting the opening Blarney Nursery Handicap with Sun Slash.
A previous course winner, Sun Slash led a furlong out to beat New Design by a comfortable one and a half lengths and the daughter of Entrepeneur will now be aimed at next month's valuable Birdcatcher Nursery Handicap at Naas.
Cosgrave was later witnessed to excellent effect by forcing home Oakes's Lucky Bet in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, and John Boohan's winner could turn out again at Listowel next Friday.
Clare permit-holder Noel Glynn and former apprentice champion Tom Queally captured the six-furlong Passage Handicap with Gotarapofahames. A previous course and distance winner, Gotarapofahames could well contest a five-furlong handicap at Ascot next Saturday.
The blinkered Europaea proved to be a most popular winner when justifying 11 to 2 favouritism with Colm O'Donoghue in the Kanturk Handicap, and Seamus Fahey's filly has a choice of engagements at Listowel next week.
The Michael Grassick-trained Embassy Belle powered to the front a furlong and a half out to deny Irish Style, with Niall McCullagh in the European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap.
Royal Jake meanwhile posted his fifth career success when landing the Dawn Meats (QR) Chase for Noel Meade and Gordon Elliot. According to Meade, the Gerard Callaghan-owned winner is unlikely to contest the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday.
Dalakhani confirmed his status as a high class colt in the making with an impressive success in the Group Three Prix des Chenes at Longchamp yesterday.
Mirroring the manner of his easy debut success at Deauville, Dalakhani cruised into the lead in the straight and won easing up by two and a half lengths from Mister Charm.
The Aga Khan runner, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and a half-brother to the great Daylami, was an 18 to 10 shot on the Pari-Mutuel.
Balin's Sword (Pat Eddery), Brian Meehan's Chepstow winner, trailed in last of the quintet and was beaten a fraction over 13 lengths.
Towards the rear throughout, the British raider could never get into a challenging position.
