THE rescheduled Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes produced a good finish after being pushed out in distance to one mile and three furlongs.

There were four almost in a line racing to the final furlong of the listed contest and it was the 3/1 favourite Shaihaan who finished best to win by three-parts of a length from Manton Bay.

Owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Donnacha O’Brien, the winner had finished fifth in the Irish Derby and was gelded after filling the same spot in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes.

“He is a big boy and got unbalanced on the bottom bend, because of the speed we were going into it,” Chris Hayes reported.

“I had to give him a chance, then, to get him organised and I liked the way he put his head down and tried. He really enjoyed the soft ground and the trip wasn’t an issue.”

Famous co-owner

Billy Lee went one better in the mile-and-three-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, in which he partnered the Paddy Twomey-trained newcomer Cailin Miorruilach (12/1).

The daughter of Siyouni ran down 2/7 favourite Together Now to score by three-parts of a length for breeder Michael Ryan, who owns the three-year-old with former Liverpool striker, Ian Rush.

“She has taken a lot of time and was raw racing around the bends, so hopefully she’ll learn plenty,” Lee said. “She is a fine big filly, so you’d be hoping she’d be a better stamp of a four-year-old. It’s nice to ride a winner for Ian, although I’m a Man United fan and have told him so!”

Sam Coen lands an

all-important double

APPRENTICE jockeys’ championship leader Sam Coen notched a precious double to increase his lead over Reese Holohan. Coen has recently been hit with two suspensions and will have to sit out a large part of the remainder of the campaign, which ends at the Curragh on November 1st.

His first winner was the Andy Slattery-trained and Margaret Flanagan-owned Suir Monad (85/40fav), who made all to beat Down The Glen by two and a half lengths in the Carry Out Off-Licence Handicap over a mile.

The winning trainer’s brother, Brian Slattery reported: “He has been lightly raced up until now and, while he’s in that vein of form, we’ll definitely get him out again.”

Home-bred heroine

Jasmine Affanalis (9/2) completed Coen’s brace in the Killarney Student Raceday Handicap over a mile. The Highland Reel four-year-old came from mid-division to defeat Nibras Rainbow by half a length.

“James Gormley, a friend of mine in Dubai, and his family bred her and they’ve had fun (being involved in the A Touch Of Leather Syndicate) with her,” said winning trainer David Marnane.

He added: “Sam had only a small saddle claiming off top-weight today, so it would be a big achievement if he were to become champion. He is a very talented rider.”

Pietropaolo in the purple

Julian Pietropaolo continued a fruitful autumn on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Shay’s Dream in the Killarney Grand Apprentice Three-Year-Old Handicap over a mile and three furlongs.

Runner-up on his previous outing at Down Royal, the 5/1 chance got past front-running favourite Wie Wunderbar inside the final furlong to score by a length for the Shane Hayes and David Newcomb Partnership.

Pietropaolo reflected: “He took a nice step forward today. Things are going brilliant at the moment. I’m learning every day and trying to get better for next year.”

Conor Cusack, who rode sixth-placed Gentle Soda, picked up a four-day suspension for using the ProCush with excessive frequency.

Coastal Wonder’s third time lucky

COASTAL Wonder (3/1 joint-favourite) took a step forward on her third start in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under Rory Mulligan. John O’Donoghue’s Bayside Boy filly led a furlong out and kept on to beat Epic Arch by a length and a quarter in the colours of breeder Ballylinch Stud, who owns the juvenile with C. Fahy, I. Allan and partners.

“She is a May foal and I probably started her a bit soon,” said O’Donoghue, who led up his sixth winner of the campaign.

“We can put a line through her first run as education and we got a nice marker on her in her last run at Naas. She will stay further next year.”

Right kind of luck

The Noel Meade-owned and trained Xirivella turned over some higher-rated rivals in the Gleneagle Killarney Median Auction Maiden over a mile. The daughter of Gleneagles finished best down the outer to beat Karrygrant (second for a fifth time) by a length and three-quarters.

Winning rider Siobhan Rutledge reported: “I was waiting for a gap, which wasn’t coming, but I think it worked out for the best as I find that racing around here, you can get fooled into racing very early... I’m very grateful to Noel and I’m riding out with him a bit now. Noel knows what to do and it is great to be able to steer them.”

Fantastic four

Smart jumper Ballybawn Belter (4/1) took the Spin Southwest Maiden over a mile and three furlongs. Patiently ridden by Seamie Heffernan, the Valirann mare gradually picked off rivals in the straight to defeat Joe Cool by a snug three lengths.

“She was entitled to do that, the trip was a bit sharp, but it was a very poor race,” said winning trainer Liz Doyle.

“She is the only horse I have for J.P. (McManus) at the minute and has already won a bumper, over hurdles and fences. Not many do all four.” Diego Lima, who rode fourth-placed Navy Guitar, was suspended for eight days for using the ProCush with excessive frequency.