‘JT is in all our thoughts. Everyone wishes him well’
Of course it would have been far preferable if the day hadn’t been necessary in the first place, but the fact is that both McNamara and Bright now need an enormous amount of help and the racing industry certainly weren’t found wanting.
The punters turned up in their droves, the attendance was given as 10,500, and there was a carnival atmosphere, greatly helped, of course, by the splendid weather.
It was a day of razzmatazz, joy, obviously tinged with sadness, and a celebration of everything that makes us all love racing so much.
Johnny Murtagh did a Frankie Dettori style dismount, after guiding heavily backed favourite Goal to victory in the Betfair Cash Out Flat And National Hunt Champion Jockeys’ Handicap.
Murtagh kicked hard at the furlong pole and Gordon Elliot’s charge was always holding Flying Light and Ruby Walsh in the closing stages.
“I was asked to come and people have said thanks for coming, but I was grateful to be asked,” commented Murtagh. “Bad things have happened, but God is good.”
The dual bumper winner, Willie Mullins’ Devils Bride, made a successful debut over flights in the Rite Of Passage Maiden Hurdle.
Partnered by Richard Johnson, his technique was a trifle sloppy, although his jumping did improve as the contest developed.
Johnson pushed him ahead going to the second last and didn’t have to be in any way hard on him in the closing stages to easily beat Focail Maith.
Patrick Mullins represented his father and said: “It is great to have a winner on the day that’s in it. We wanted to have a runner, but this was the only race that suited us. The ground is the key to him and he is built like a chaser.”
The most exciting contest of the day was surely the battle between Tony McCoy (Jansboy) and Barry Geraghty (Friendly Society) in the Paddy Power Supporting JT and Jonjo Handicap Hurdle.
The battle finally went in favour of McCoy, by a short head, in what was a rousing battle.
“Barry actually knocked the whip out of my hand in the last 200 yards,” reported McCoy. “It is special to ride a winner on this day. This is fantastic, it is fantastic for Irish Racing for HRI and for Limerick.”
Jansboy is trained by Michael Winters, who was on his way to England with Moon Prince, who is set to do duty for him at Wincanton on Thursday, and the classy Rebel Fitz, running at Cheltenham on Friday.
Nick Scholfield enjoyed his first success in Ireland when teaming up with Mrs Mac Veale to take the ITBA and AIR Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
She was a bit unlucky not to win at Navan on Saturday, but Scholfield produced her with impeccable timing on this occasion to cut down Baidin Fheilimi on the run-in.
“This is a great cause and it is great to have a winner here,” said Scholfield.
The daughter of Karinga Bay is trained at Cappoquin, Co Waterford by Robert Murphy.
John Thomas McNamara rode many winners for JP McManus and it was fitting those famous colours were carried to victory by One Fine Morning in the Bar One Racing Handicap Chase.
Alain Cawley did the driving, easing One Fine Morning past the front-running Jakros shortly after two out to score going away by 20 lengths. McManus said: “JT is in all our thoughts. Everyone here wishes him well.”
Wildcatted, trained at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare by Michael McDonagh, cropped up at 16-1 in the Hurricane Fly Handicap Hurdle.
Allowed to lead coming away from four out by Brian O’Connell, he was soon in total control to score by six lengths.
“He disappointed us a few times, but works well at home,” reported McDonagh. “The ground is the key to him.”
Punters, at least a portion of them, ended a memorable day in the best possible way when Philip Fenton’s Volupteux, backed from some 8-1 to 9-2, took the Bumper.
Richie Kiely told him to go about his business over a furlong down and the four-year-old quickly stretched clear.
“This is a nice horse’, said Fenton. “He had a good run at Listowel and we were hoping he would improve.”
Sebadee, ridden by John Barry for Denis Cullen, eased past market leader Norther Bay between the last two fences to easily win the Boylesports’ Hunters Chase
