Cooldine makes spectacular start to chasing career
A brilliant novice hurdler last season, he was firing his first shot of the new campaign and could hardly have done the job any better.
Ruby Walsh is currently on the easy-list, so Mullins turned to Paul Townend and the youngster came through the test with flying colours.
He allowed Cooldine stride on heading out into the country for the final time and, except for getting in close to three out, the six-year-old produced a near faultless exhibition.
“He’s done it well and I’m hoping will improve”, said Mullins. “He’s in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse later this month, but that may come too soon. I may gradually step him up and go for a winners of one.”
Regarding Townend, Mullins said: “He deserves his crack. He has been doing everything right at home and schooled this horse.
“He rode two winners for me last Saturday (Punchestown) and is a nice talent to have around the yard.”
Alpine Eagle, a trifle unlucky at Cork previously, redeemed the promise of that effort with a clear-cut victory in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.
Realistically, he had this in the bag a fair way out, easing past front-running Giant Slalom to score unextended by 14 lengths for Barry Geraghty.
Trainer, Jessica Harrington, reported: “I am delighted with him, especially the way he settled. He’s growing up and getting better and will now go for a winners’ of one.”
Charlie Swan’s Checkpointcharlie, who had shown some promise in bumpers, without scoring, made a winning start over jumps in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
Despite some rather indifferent technique, he stayed on doggedly for David Casey to beat Toby Jug and the flattering Prince Rudi.
“He’s a three-parts brother to Teeming Rain and will make a grand chaser some day”, remarked Swan. “Hopefully, his jumping will improve.”
Mark Bolger gave Cnoc An Einn a terrific drive to take the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, bringing him with a sweeping late challenge to beat Afterburn.
It wasn’t lost on Cnoc An Einn’s trainer, Liam Burke. “He gave him some ride, it is all down to the man, he has a fair brain in his head”, said Burke.
“That was an ordinary race, but he’s a horse who has had a lot of problems and it is nice to win.”
Paddy Flood was superb on Jimmy Ber in landing the Clonoulty Hurdle for the Dessie Hughes stable.
He grabbed a big lead heading to the home turn and heavily-backed favourite, Dancing Tornado, who was being pushed along from a fair way out, could never quite close him down.
Commented Hughes: “He wants good ground and that’s the closest he has got to it this season.
Paul Townend, who partnered Polmar, was suspended for two days, the stewards deciding he had stopped riding, thus losing fourth place in the process. He was also ordered to forfeit his riding fee.
Flood was narrowly deprived of a double aboard Giolla De in the Templemore Handicap Chase.
He appeared to have made the decisive move when taking his charge to the front over the second last.
But Kilbane River, who made little show in the Cork Grand National previously, was soon in pursuit and wore down the leader close home.
Early in the straight in the Bumper, Noel Meade’s Steve Capall looked destined for a poor third behind Cadspeed, 7-4 to 5-4, and Dick Naylor.
But Nina Carberry had other ideas and she conjured a splendid late surge from her charge to do the business in the end.
“Win, lose or draw he was going jumping after today and that’s what he’ll do”, confirmed Meade.
Patrick Mullins, who rode Cadspeed, was suspended for one day for using his whip with excessive frequency.
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