National hope Strong Project gallops rivals into submission
“I have him about eight weeks”, said O'Brien. “He badly needed his run at Punchestown last time, we hadn't him long enough to know how fit he was.”
John Allen took the ten-year-old into the lead from the start and Doctor Linton was the only danger turning in. But Strong Project maintained a relentless gallop and was eight lengths to the good at the line.
Said O'Brien: “He will come back here in two weeks for a Graded race over two and a half and will be given an entry in the Grand National at Aintree.”
Allen completed a double when Kieran Purcell's Cogans Lake followed up his reecent Limerick win with an easy victory in the Heineken W T O'Grady Memorial Hurdle. Cogans Lake, however, had a major danger removed when the challenging Marhaba Million, runner-up behind Mister Hight at Fairyhouse on Saturday, fell at the second last when right on terms and apparently full of running. Cogans Lake was left in spledid isolation and made the rest to easily beat Night Bridge.
Commented Purcell: “He is a lovely horse, who is improving all the time. He will go to Leopardstown now (Cashmans Hurdle).”
Macs Flamingo scored for Pat Fahy at Tramore on Sunday and his Highglen followed by taking the INH Stallion Owners' EBF Novice Hurdle, which may signal a change of fortunes for the trainer.
“My horses haven't been right since November”, said Fahy. “I wasn't at all confident today, you are always worried they will cut out when they hit a hill.”
Highglen never showed any signs of doing that, however, making all for Davy Russell and having this wrapped up from two out.
Continued Fahy: “The most important thing when you are having a run like this is that your owners stay with you. Most of them have, I think I've lost only two.”
Eric McNamara, out of luck with Marhaba Million earlier on, gained compensation when Ponmeoath finally got off the mark in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
He had finished second three times in-a-row and looked in trouble early in the straight, as Safe Deposit kicked for glory.
But Ponmeoath found plenty for Brian Byrnes pressure and powered to the front in the last fifty yards to score cosily in the end.
“He's been a bit unlucky and deserved that”, said in-form McNamara. “We felt he was in front too soon at Limerick last time and didn't want to make the same mistake again.”
Barry Geraghty began his day with a very lucky success aboard Leodotcom in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.
Revue cruised ahead just before three out and was all of fifteen lengths clear at the last. But he stood way off the obstacle and buckled on landing at the other side.
Long-time leader Hasanpour was left in front, but could not hold the winner on the flat. Well-backed favourite Prince Roscoe ran no sort of race and was out of contention when pulled up going to the third from home. He was subsequently found to be lame.
Conem, second to Mattock Ranger on this track previously, ran away with the Bumper, having been backed from 6-4 to evens.
Nina Carberry, well on her way to a first amateur jockeys' title, took no prisoners, sweeping ahead before the straight to win by an easy six lengths.
Said trainer, Willie Austin: “He's improving with every run. We will probably hold onto him now for a month and then maybe go for a winners' bumper.”
Kevin Coleman produced Philip Dempsey's Rossdee Lad with impeccable timing from off the pace to cut down the flattering Black Amerillo going to the final flight in the moderate Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
For Dempsey (41), who has held a licence for less than two years, it was a first training success.
