Enigmatic Watson Lake strikes Oil under inspired Carberry drive
Taken to the front at the sixth fence from home, the fourth and third last obstacles were eliminated, Watson Lake made the rest.
One Cool Cookie, second as well in the race a year ago, tried hard to close the leader down from the last, but was always being held and was a length and three parts adrift at the line.
Said Carberry: “He loves that soft ground and getting his own way.”
Disappointment of the contest was well-backed favourite, Glenfinn Captain. He attempted to match strides with Watson Lake on the final circuit, but was struggling a long way out.
Willie Mullins’ Fionnegas kept his unbeaten record, it’s now four from four, with an effortless success in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
He made every yard of the running, under Ruby Walsh, and the only moment of concern was when he stepped right into the final flight.
Commented Mullins: “He isn’t in very long, but seems to have retained his ability. Two and a half miles plus is what he wants.”
If Walsh hardly had to move a muscle abaord Fionnegas then the same could not be said about his performance on Paul Nolan’s Moskova in the Grade 3 EBF T A Morris Memorial Mares Chase.
The grey blundered badly six out - again two fences were removed in this race - and her chance seemed to be gone.
But Walsh codded and cajoled her and tried everything to work Moskova back into contention.
He got a gradual response, but early in the straight his task appeared a hopeless one. Walsh persevered, however, and had his reward when Moskova came between Hello Kitty and Here Comes Sally to win by half a length and a neck.
“I’d say that jockey will make it”, quipped Nolan. “She had some guts to come back and I’d love to run her over hurdles now, where she has a much lower rating.”
Mullins’ Dorset Square, the second of three winners for the trainer, battled on dourly, off bottom weight, to land the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle.
Beautifully handled and partnered with typical patience by Paul Townend, the winner edged ahead before the final flight and found enough on the flat to hold Back Me Up.
Said Mullins: “The trip was too short for him at Punchestown the last day and he will now stay as these sort of distances.”
Patrick Mangan, who took a fall from Whinstone Boy in this race, was removed to hospital with a suspected fracture of his left arm.
The Mullins treble was completed when long odds-on Florida Pal beat Iveagh House a hard-earned length in the Bumper.
“I will try and win a hurdle race with him now and then he will go chasing”, reported Mullins.
“I think he could be a Grand National horse down the line and the plan for this season is the four-miler at Cheltenham.”
Footy Facts shrugged off top weight to win the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase, a heat in which only eight fences were jumped.
Philip Enright had him in front before the home turn and Footy Facts was soon holding all the aces.
“He took his winners’ bumper at the Curragh and, with all the fences missing, thought he was back there”, joked Tyner. “We will find another little handicap for him.”
Runner-up Glenquest was the gamble of the race, taken at 7-1 and 6’s in the morning. He found 15-8 from 7-2 on track, but the absence of six fences was no help and he could only stay on one-paced in the closing stages.
Francis Flood’s Slievecorragh proved far too good for his opponents in the Clonmel Oil Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered with confidence by Mark Walsh, the winner eased to the front going to two out to easily beat The Armed Man.
Fran Flood represented his father and said: “He did that well and has been knocking on the door for a while.
“We might step him up in trip now.”
