Declan McDonogh (17) registered his first double at Fairyhouse last night after getting New Legislation and Shi-Ar home in close finishes. New Legislation supplied Curragh trainer Michael Halford with his 10th winner under both codes in the past two months when finishing with a flourish under McDonogh to beat Abaco by a neck in the Horseshow Handicap.
McDonogh moved on to the 10winner mark for the season, and brought his career total to 22, when the Dermot Weld-trained Shi-Ar just held on in the Derrinstown Apprentice Series Maiden. The 6lb claimer sent the winner into a clear lead a quarter of a mile out but the Royal Academy colt weakened in the closing stages and had just half a length to spare over Sarapaka at the line.
Weld emulated his double feat at Sligo, having earlier landed the Ratoath Maiden with Alarme Belle. Michael Kinane sent the Warning filly to the front a furlong to beat Malacoda by a cosy two lengths.
John Oxx was also in double form when successful with the short-priced favourites Private Chapel and Torn Silk. Private Chapel made all under John Murtagh to take the featured Rathbeggan Handicap but the winning margin was just a short head as Ganaway closed with every stride in the final 100 yards.
Torn Silk had a much easier time in the hands of Philip Dempsey when cruising home to a seven-length success in the Greenpark Maiden.
Aidan O'Brien's domination of the juvenile division continued when Guscott benefited from a strong drive from Christy Roche to make a winning debut in the Tattersalls Maiden. The son of Distinctly North, who was ridden along from halfway, got into his stride approaching the final furlong, and ran on strongly for a length and a half success over George.
Dermot Weld and Pat Shanahan teamed up to complete an 11 1/2 to 1 double, courtesy of Musical Mayhem and Golden Circle, at Sligo last night.
Only three runners went to post for the Leguard Rated Race and with no stalls in operation, Shanahan wasted no time in sending the recent Galway victor, Musical Mayhem, straight to the head of the field.
After Go Thunder dropped away tamely over three furlongs out, Executive Decision and Eddie Ahern tracked the leader before the turn-in, but soon came under pressure and was reluctant to go through with his run at the furlong pole, ducking left before eventually settling for the runner-up spot.
The trainer's son, Mark, said of the Shernazar gelding: "When we saw the entries we decided to run him here. I don't know what the plan is but I suppose he'll concentrate on the Festivals."
Golden Circle completed the double in the EBF Fillies Maiden when shrugging off the persistent challenge of Jackeen's and Stephen Craine from the turn-in to score by a length in the colours of Mrs Chryss O'Reilly.
Pat Smullen is just one winner short of equalling last season's career-best tally of 29 when he also completed a double.
