Winning start for Warbucks
Whatuthink proved a very uneasy favourite, didn’t travel overly well through the contest and was quickly in trouble when getting in tight to the third last.
Shane Hassettt had sent the winner on at the previous obstacle and Mr Warbucks, owned by Joe O’Keeffe from Mallow, had plenty in hand on the flat, as Whatuthink tried to rally.
Commented Maguire: “He’s a big horse and it has taken him all this time to come to himself. He has plenty of options and three miles will be no problem.”
Michael Bowe’s Coolcashin and Tom Doyle landed the Horse and Jockey Beginners Chase with any amount in hand.
Doyle allowed him stride on heading out for the final time and Coolcashin galloped powerfully to beat Sizing Australia an unflattering four lengths.
“He's a light-framed horse and I thought would never make a chaser,” reported Bowe. “He seems to be a natural, Tom says you couldn’t knock him. I schooled the horse myself this morning and he winged a fence, so I told Tom he had nothing to worry about.”
Oscar Dan Dan justified favouritism with a clear-cut 15 lengths victory in the Vendee Hurdle.
Always travelling sweetly on the heels of the leaders, he was powered to the front three from home by Ruby Walsh and soon ran well clear of his rivals.
Tom Mullins said of his charge: “Getting a lead is what he wants. We had novice chasing in our heads, but we will now see if another staying hurdle comes up.”
Noel Meade’s Cross Appeal, making his debut over jumps, was a major order in the ring for the Killinan three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
He was backed from 2-1 to evens and landed the wagers, after twice appearing beaten. Cross Appeal came under strong pressure from Niall Madden away from the third last, before getting his head in front going to the final flight.
But he was headed here by Doctor Deejay and then fought back on the flat to score by a head.
Said Meade: “I left him off with a view to coming back hurdling, but he grew and is as leggy now as he was in the spring. I’d say somewhere like Leopardstown or Navan would suit better, the penny hasn’t dropped with him yet.”
Madden rode Cross Appeal because Paul Carberry was stood down for the day, having taken a fall earlier off Judge Deed in a beginners chase.
Davy Russell also had a fall, off Fier Destrier, in the same race and suffered a suspected broken thumb.
Meade completed a double - this time Nina Carberry replaced her brother - when Outlaw Kid took the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Operated on for wind, he dashed ahead going to three out and turned for home with a healthy lead.
But Outlaw Kid wavered about a bit after the last and was all out to hold He’llberemembered by a diminishing half a length.
“He worked great the other morning, but just got tired,” said Meade. “We will see what the handicapper does with him now.”
My Lord Oscar scrambled to a short head victory in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase, after appearing set for a comfortable success early on the flat.
Major Decision rallied to tremendous effect, however, and would have been in front in another stride or two.
Said trainer Enda Bolger: “Listowel (won) was his day and, after that, we have just been pot-holing. He’s a good fun horse and we’ll see, he might be put away now with the ground coming heavy.”
The Holycross Handicap Hurdle saw Tommy Nagle’s The Sneezer and Stephen Gray dig deep to grab a gallant Strange Encounter close home.
