Wouldn’t You Agree looks a smart recruit to chasing ranks
McManus helicoptered from his Martinstown Stud base in Limerick to see his charge in action and it was certainly worth the journey.
Conor O’Dwyer oozed confidence throughout and allowed Wouldn’t You Agree to lead coming away from the fourth last. Le-Monde threw down a strong challenge in the straight and was almost on terms over the final fence.
But O’Dwyer had saved plenty and only had to shake up his charge to ease away on the level for a length and a half success. “He was absolutely brilliant, except for the fence in front of the stands with a circuit to go”, reported O’Dwyer.
“He idled, but you would have to be happy with that.”
Said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus: “We are very pleased and will fiddle away with him for the summer.”
Some decent wagers went west on the frustrating Mount Kimble in the Fenit Maiden Hurdle. Backed from 5-2 to 7-4, indeed he touched 5-4 at one stage, the seven-year-old looked all over a winner when cruising ahead going to the third last.
But, as usual, he found nothing for pressure and was joined over the second last by Classy Dancer. The daughter of Alphabatim showed much the better resolution from the final flight, stretching away under Garret Cotter. Trained under permit at Dungourney by Denis Ahern, the winner had her supporters, finding 16-1 from 33’s.
“I’m not suprised, I knew she wanted good ground”, said Ahern.
John Allen rode his second winner, giving the Sean O’Brien trained Roxelly a fine drive to land the Caherconlish Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Roxelly led before the straight and was always holding Mrs Avery over the last two flights. Commented O’Brien: “It’s the first time she has got good ground, that’s the key to her. She is likely now to go straight to Galway for a winners’ race.”
Market leader Estarana was travelling sweetly, on the heels of the leaders, when parting company with Pat Verling four out.
Well-backed favourite Central Billing got a powerful ride from Timmy Murphy to take the Denny Handicap Chase. Give Me Style jumped on four out and held a couple of lengths advantage over the eventual winner turning in.
But Murphy got a tremendous response from Central Billing to sweep past close home and score by half a length.
The eight-year-old was completing a hat-trick and trainer, Michael Hourigan said: “I’ll find it hard to win another one with him, I suppose, but he’s been a good servant. The Midlands National at Kilbeggan would be something to aim at.”
The layers got a real result when a rejuvenated Ballygowan Beauty gave Tommy Walker a welcome turn when cropping up at 20-1 in the Tralee Handicap Hurdle. He was partnered by 17-year-old Paddy Flood from the Curragh, who was enjoying his first success and is with Dessie Hughes.
Ballygowan Beauty went on three from home, but was strongly pressed heading to the last by Back To Gales. The latter, however, dipped at the other side of the obstacle, lost her stride momentarily and couldn’t quite get back at the winner, going down by a short head. Gary Hutchinson, who rode Back To Gales, was suspended for three days, having been found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency.
The lads on the boxes were singing again following the Liberator Handicap Hurdle, victory going to another 20-1 shot, Bid Me Again. He made every yard of the running, holding off Multeen Gunner by three parts of a length, giving rider, Adrian O’Shea a welcome change of luck in the process.
Jessica Harrington’s newcomer Macs Joy, far from neglected in the market, battled on well to win the Bumper. Ross O’Sullivan drove him ahead with over a furlong to go and Macs Joy answered the call to hold the determined effort of Silver Witness by a neck.
