Last Instalment looks a genuine Gold Cup candidate for the future

By Pat Keane

Monday, February 13, 2012

Ireland is crying out for a genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup candidate and in the Philip Fenton-trained Last Instalment we may just have found one.

A magnificent specimen, he kept his unbeaten record over fences intact - it is now four from four - with a scintillating display in the Dr P J Moriarty Chase. He made every yard of the running and his jumping was simply immaculate. There were those in behind waiting to pounce going to two out, but the winner picked up in terrific fashion in the straight and was always holding the strong challenge of Call The Police.

"When Davy (Russell) got serious with him, he answered every call", said a delighted Fenton. "Davy knew what he was doing, he was in full control.

"I would say it will be the RSA at Cheltenham now, although he wouldn’t want the ground too quick.

"I’d imagine Davy will have to take his old friend, First Lieutenant, into consideration for that, but we have a good sub in Brian (O’Connell)."

It would be a major surprise, however, should Russell discard the imposing seven-year-old. He said: "I was hugely impressed and will sit down and have a think, but it will be hard to get off this horse after that performance."

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh added to their gains with Quel Esprit when taking the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle with Catleen.

Walsh produced her to hit the front going to the last and she found plenty to resist Tony McCoy and A Country Girl.

Reported Mullins: "When she won at Limerick, Ruby said she wanted nicer ground and he was right."

Mullins completed a treble when his son, Patrick, guided once-raced Pique Sous to an easy win in the Bumper, the five-year-old cruising clear early in the straight .

"He has improved a nice bit since last season and I’d expect more improvement", said Mullins. "He wants nice ground and will get a Cheltenham entry."

Dermot Weld has long been a fan of the use of blinkers and they worked the oracle for his Hisaabaat in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.

In his previous race, on this track, the Dubawi gelding didn’t seem to go through with his effort when second to Darroun, but there were no such problems on this occasion.

Shadow Catcher kicked hard off the home turn, but got in tight to the last and in-form Andrew Lynch grabbed his chance to drive the winner past.

Commented Weld: "Andrew learned from the last day and I felt if he delayed his challenge Hisaabaat would deliver the goods.

"I felt Andrew would suit the horse, he is a man riding with great confidence. He will now go for the Triumph Hurdle, is progressive and consistent and should run well.’’

Ut De Sivola proved a very disappointing favourite, but was subsequently found to have been struck into on his left-hind leg.

Bookmakers got a screamer in the seven-runner Deloitte Novice Hurdle, with victory going to 50-1 shot Benefficient.

He really was hard to fancy, having run a shocker - in seemingly lesser company - at Thurles previously in a contest won by Folsom Blue.

But beautifully handled by the impressive Bryan Cooper - this was his first Grade 1 winner - he made all of the running to easily beat the running-on Sous Les Cieux, who did his prospects no good by getting it wrong two out.

Said trainer, Tony Martin: "He has always shown us he was a good horse, but disappointed the last day and it was probably the ground.

"He’s in everything at Cheltenham and will have to go now. I’d say he will run in the two mile and five (Neptune Hurdle)."

The Rodger Sweeney trained Salsify came back to his best with a smooth victory in the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase.

Partnered by his son, Colman, the winner arrived with impeccable timing to join issue with Saddlers Storm at the final fence and then eased away on the flat.

Said Sweeney senior: "If he comes out of this alright then we will have a look at going to Cheltenham (Foxhunters). The ground here made some difference, compared to Thurles the last day."

* The attendance yesterday was 10,042.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 13, 2012