Walsh and Martin the perfect alliance
For Walsh it was a fourth success in the major treat of the week at the seven-day extravaganza to go with Banasan, Euro Leader and Bothar Na.
Reported Walsh: “I’ve enjoyed a lot of of luck in this race. He was a bit keen in the first mile, but jumped great.
“He pulled out plenty from the back of the last, but I was glad to see the line coming all the same same. He’s a right good horse and I was confident would stay. He got two miles and five behind Chapoturgeon on the New (outside) Track at Cheltenham, when I gave him too much to do.”
Church Island, runner-up in the Irish National at Fairyhouse in April, made a lot of the running and, heading for the home turn, was still bowling along in front.
Walsh had gone down the inside throughout on Northern Alliance and was never too far off the pace.
Northern Alliance was now in the leader’s slipstream, simply cruising. Suddenly, however, Paul Carberry arrived on the scene on the other Martin challenger, Royal County Star. Walsh made his bid when sending his charge ahead just before two out, but the game appeared to be up when Royal County Star grabbed a marginal advantage on landing over the last.
Royal County Star, however, screwed the obstacle and immediately was in trouble. Walsh needed no further invitation and drove Northern Alliance for all he was worth to beat a rallying Church Island by a length, with Royal County Star a further neck away in third.
Martin, enjoying his first success in the contest, was ecstatic. “I’m delighted, absolutely thrilled”, he said.
“It is great to see ye (press) again. I was sick when Green Mile didn’t get in, but this hasn’t half made up for it.
“I’d say he’s handicapped out of these races now and we may have to look at conditions events. We will take him home, give him a break and see where we go.”
Northern Alliance is owned by the four-member Irish Rover Syndicate, one of whom, Aidan Shiels, has the Irish Rover Bar in New York. Shiels made the journey across the Atlantic to see his pride and joy performing.
“He’s my best two-year-old”, quipped Willie Mullins, after his Super Sonic Boom had landed a gamble in the Irish Wire Products EBF Maiden. It subsequently transpired, however, that the son of Azamour is in actual fact Mullins’ only juvenile.
In any case the winner was taken at 10-1 in the morning and from 6’s to 9-2 on track. He made all the running for Paul Townend, easily holding Footprint, who looked a trifle reluctant to go through with his effort.
“I was disappointed with him at Leopardstown”, continued Mullins. “But he had a great draw and I told Paul if he jumped to make the best of it.”
Mullins’ brother, Tom, enjoyed his second success of the week when the enigmatic Time Electric made all the running in the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle. The mud-loving Berties Dream - these were hardly his ideal conditions - tried hard to stay with the winner on the final circuit, but was always fighting a losing battle.
Commented Mullins: “He’s a bit up-and-down, but I was confident today. I’ve always thought he was a speed horse, but now think he needs two and a half or three miles and good ground. He might go for another novice hurdle and then it will be chasing.”
Market-leader, Dual Gales, ran no sort of race, but was subsequently found to be clinically abnormal.
Henry de Bromhead’s dual bumper winner, in as many runs, Loosen My Load, made a fine start to jumping with a smooth victory in the Intervet-Schering Plough Animal Health Maiden Hurdle.
Carrying the Sizing Europe colours of Alan and Ann Potts, Loosen My Load gave a smashing exhibition to easily beat Luzdeluna.
Said de Bromhead: “He’s a good horse, a proper horse. He is likely to go for a Grade 3 at Tipperary and then a Grade 2 at Cheltenham, subject to the ground being goodish. Then he will have a break and come back in the spring.”
de Bromhead intends to give Sizing Europe his second outing over fences at Punchestown on October 15.
The day only got better for the Waterford handler when his Fort George bounded to the front under two furlongs down to easily land the Bumper, in the hands of Nina Carberry.
Aidan O’Brien’s Von Jawlensky showed what a tough customer he is when taking the Ladbrokes’ 1800777888 Conditions Race. He made much of the running in the English Leger, behind Mastery, at Doncaster last Saturday, before finally finishing last of eight runners.
The son of Montjeu was none the worse for that, however, and certainly found loads for Seamus Heffernan when the need was greatest. Heffernan swept him past Via Galilei off the turn-in and Von Jawlensky powered clear to beat Eytarna by three and a half lengths.
Chris Hayes produced Toufan Express with impeccable timing, inside the furlong pole, to beat Slieve Mish a length in the Exchange Inn Ballybunion and Kevin Broderick’s Bar Listowel Handicap.
Arthur Moore had a welcome turn when Francis De Mesnil flashed up to lead at the last for Paddy Flood to beat Alabama Banjo in the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap Chase.
