Apalachi springs 25/1 shock in Power Chase
In theory Black Apalachi's lack of experience should have found him out at some stage, but he did the business like an old hand, after John Cullen had ridden him up with the pace throughout.
For 27-year-old Rothwell, who is in his fifth year holding a licence, the 108,000 plus first prize was easily his biggest pay day.
“I'm speechless, what a brilliant day”, exclaimed Rothwell. “This has been coming for a long time.”
Cullen rode the six-year-with real confidence, showing plenty of bravery to send the rookie to the front at the second last.
Camden Tanner, stepping well up on his most recent efforts, was pulling double over the eventual winner going to the final fence and the pair were in the air together.
But it was Black Apalachi who showed the greater resolution on the flat, finding plenty for pressure to score by a length.
“John wasted very hard to take the ride”, said Rothwell. “He did put up a pound overweight, but we were delighted to have him.
“This horse is a pet and getting his act together. The plan now is the Thyestes Chase at Gowran and the Irish National (Fairyhouse).”
The stewards inquired into the apparent improvement in form of Camden Tanner and noted the explanations offered.
Noel Meade's ex-German horse Sweet Wake, strong in the market in the morning and on track, toyed with the opposition on his way to winning the paddypower.com Maiden Hurdle.
“He has jumped like a rocket since the day we got him and has never come off the bridle at home”, said Meade.
It was always only a matter of when Paul Carberry pressed the button, as Sweet Wake moved supremely well through the contest. Royaldou tried to get him at it, but that was never a possibility and the winner quickened past after the final flight to score by an unflattering four lengths.
“He won a Group Two in Germany and we bought him at Newmarket”, said Meade. “He could be the goods and will now go for a winners of one somewhere.”
Cashmans slashed Sweet Wake from 25-1 to 12-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with Boylesports more generous at 16's.
Meade and Carberry completed a double when Mr Nosie retained his unbeaten record in the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle. The Alphabatim gelding was winning his second race over flights, to go with a bumper and point-to-point success.
Blueberry Boy made a solid attempt from the front and a brilliant leap two out seemed to have sealed the contest in his favour. But Mr Nosie is a tough sort and he rallied in fine style before powering clear of Blueberry Boy on the run in.
“He's lazy at home, so it is hard to know what to make of him”, reported Meade. “He was sick and that's why he hasn't run for a while.
“This fellow will stay further and if he's a Cheltenham horse then it it more likely to be the SunAlliance.”
Paddy Power gave Mr Nosie a 20-1 quote for that race, while Boylesports and Cashmans introduced him at 16-1.
Meade rounded off a terrific day's work when ex-pointer Snow Tern ran away with the Bumper in the hands of Nina Carberry.
“He will go over hurdles now and it will be straight over fences next season”, said Meade.
Tony McCoy made the best of a chance ride when guiding Steve Mahon's Vox Populi to an easy success in the Paddy Power Festivel three-year-old Hurdle.
The winner was to have been partnered by Liam Fleming, but he went north, where he had four rides at the rescheduled Down Royal meeting.
Mahon then decided to put up stable amateur, Keith Bowens, but changed his mind when discovering McCoy was available.
“I got Ciaran O'Toole (agent) to contact Tony for me and he went directly to the sauna to do the weight”, revealed Mahon.
McCoy enjoyed an armchair ride, easing Vox Populi ahead three out and then kicking clear after the second last to win with plenty in hand.
It was a different story for McCoy, however, in the paddypower.com Handicap Hurdle when he prefered third placed Dead Sound to eventual winner, the veteran Le Coudray. Commented Christy Roche: “Tony told me how well Le Coudray ran at Navan and then wouldn't ride him.”
Le Coudray, who will be twelve in a few days, wore down Patsy Hall close home to win his first race since this meeting three years ago.
“Running him over hurdles has given him a great buzz, he's able to compete”, said Roche.
The attendance of 20,445, up 3,657 on last year, was a modern day record for Leopardstown.
