Whinstone enhances National claims
On an absolutely appalling afternoon weather-wise, the same as Gowran, the rapidly improving nine-year-old ran the opposition ragged.
Again ridden by Sean Flanagan, Whinstone Boy made every yard of the running and had the majority of this field in trouble a fair way from home.
Leanne tried hard to close down the leader up the straight, but Whinstone Boy is as tough as they come and was two and a half lengths to the good at the line.
Trainer, Jimmy Mangan, said: “The big plan is still Liverpool. If he gets into the National then he will go for that and today won’t have done his cause any harm.
“Staying is his game and we had exactly the same sort of day today as at Gowran and that suited. He will also be entered in the Topham at Liverpool, as well as the Irish National, and I’ll be doing a rain dance at Aintree.”
Favourite Glencove Marina ran far too freely for his own good and was a well-beaten fourth when falling at the final fence.
For Bill retained her spectacular record when producing a smashing performance to take the Kilsheelan Mares Novice Hurdle.
She is now undefeated in seven races, two point-to-points, three bumpers and two over flights.
Trained by Michael Winters for Killarney owner Donie Sheahan, the daughter of Presenting was always travelling sweetly for Paul Townend.
She eased to the front coming away from three out and a mistake at the last made no difference as she strode away to beat Killultagh Queen by three lengths.
“She had gone too light when winning here the last day”, reported Winters. “I gave her a pop at Dromahane recently and she pinged hurdles. She will now go for another mares race, either at Limerick or Fairyhouse.”
Ruby Walsh began his day when giving Rock The Bock a power-packed drive to take the opener, the Fethard Maiden Hurdle.
Champus led over five out and turned for home with a clear advantage. But he was none to clever at the second last and, suddenly, began to struggle.
Walsh seized his chance and drove Rock The Bock past on the flat to score by a length and a quarter.
Trainer, Dusty Sheehy, said: “He jumped brutal at Naas, but we got a lot of schooling into him and he was much better today.”
The two miles and six of the Surehaul Mercedes Novice Hurdle took some getting and it was Colm Murphy’s Quito De La Roque who sloshed his way best through the terrible conditions.
Davy Russell had him in front going to two out and, despite being none too clever at the obstacle and hanging left on the run in, he was much too good for The Book Thief.
Commented Murphy: “We will try and find something similar. The ground couldn’t be soft enough or the trip far enough for him.
“He is a big and raw and, if improving as much as I think, will be a fine horse. Chasing is his game.”
Hidden Crack dug deep when the need was greatest to take the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Whatsabillion made a brave attempt from the front, but couldn’t quite last it out and the winner edged ahead close home to score by half a length.
Hidden Crack was partnered by Pat Kennedy, enjoying his second success since joining the professional ranks.
Trainer, Seamus Fahey, missed the contest - absent at Wolverhampton - where he had a number of runners.
Course commentator, Des Scahill, described the concluding stages of the Demesne Hunters Chase as an endurance test and that was certainly as good a summing up of what was a real war of attrition.
Denis Hickey’s Shamrock Hall seemed blessed with abundant stamina to score by 17 lengths giving pilot Andrew Doyle, a nephew of the winning trainer, his first success on the racecourse.
The Bumper was won in a canter by Philip Fenton’s Sunshine Haven, who led a furlong down in the hands of Corky Carroll, quickly shooting away to win by 12 lengths.
Willie Mullins’ Aughaloor was all the rage morning-prices, and was strong on track as well, but never promised to deliver.
