Sweet Dreams for Maguire
Dropped out for much of the journey by Ruby Walsh, the winner powered into contention in the straight, sweeping away from the flattering Michelle’s Express from the final flight.
Said Maguire: “That was the plan, we knew there would be no pace and took a risk. Ruby liked him and we will see now what to do next.”
Walsh completed a double with an armchair ride aboard Tony Martin’s Keelaghan in the Kinsale Chase.
Available as high as 5-2 in the morning, Keelaghan was a strong order on course, lodging at 11-10.
Truth to tell, he scored with any amount in hand, after Walsh had eased him ahead going to the last.
Said Martin: “He had a couple of great runs on the all-weather and has to have good ground.
“He’s a good-actioned horse, who was done for his wind a few years ago. We might aim for a nice two mile chase on the Friday of the Cheltenham November meeting.”
Mr Cracker, so impressive on his debut over fences at Limerick the previous Sunday, was desperately disappointing in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EB F Novice Chase.
He was in trouble a long way out, as eventual winner, Colin Kidd’s Back Of The Pack, made the best of her way home.
She had won what looked a modest event at Tramore, but is clearly progressing at a rate of knots.
Sebadee threatened real danger in the closing stage, but Michael Darcy drove the mare for all he was worth and she held on to score by a short head.
Back Of The Back did edge across in front of Sebadee going to the final fence, but was clear at the time and there was never a possibility of an alteration to the placings at the subsequent stewards’ inquiry.
Commented Kidd: “She is as tough as they come, deserves a crack at black type and will go for a Grade 3 at Clonmel in about three weeks time.”
Nicky Stokes, who trains at Fethard, Co Tipperary, and who has held a licence for some three years, saddled his first winner on the track when Arguidos took the Jimmy Crowley Live After Racing October 31st Handicap Hurdle.
Sox’s Girl appeared to be in charge for most of the straight, but Tom Doyle conjured a last-gasp surge from Arguidos to nail the leader in the final strides.
“We are mainly a point-to-point yard and were left with this horse, he is kind of a family pet”, said Stokes.
A gamble went astray on Tony Martin’s High Cian in the opening maiden hurdle.
He was backed from 11-4 to 10-11, but could not quite get to grips with 16-1 shot Charger, going down by a neck.
Winning trainer, Paul Stafford, reported: “He’s no superstar and has been disappointing. He had a wind operation and it took him a long time to come back after it.”
Colin Motherway was seen to advantage when grabbing the Bumper on Colm Murphy’s Captain Paulie, absent since finishing third to Dr Whizz in this race a year earlier.
Motherway got first run on the seven-year-old and the late rush of heavily-backed favourite, Fire Belt, failed by a short head.
Said Murphy: “He’s had a lot of problems, back, pelvis and every other sort of problem. We will find a little maiden hurdle for him now.”
Green To Gold, an easy winner at Punchestown four days earlier, toyed with the opposition in the two mile handicap hurdle.
Pushed to the front going to two out by Alan Crowe, the grey stretched clear to beat Lend A Hand Son by three and a half lengths.
