War of Attrition on Gold Cup trail
Cashmans introduced the six-year-old into their Gold Cup betting at 14-1, but Paddy Power (10-1) and Boylesports (8-1) are much tighter.
War Of Attrition's narrow defeat of Rathgar Beau, who was conceding 4lbs, won't have impressed everybody, but you ignore him at your peril.
The pace was ordinary and that was not in favour of this young horse, who looks increasingly as if he needs a thorough test of stamina to be seen at his best.
War Of Attrition ran last of the five runners for much of the trip, with Rathgar Beau just in front of him.
Alcapone and Strong Project took turns in the lead, with Conor O'Dwyer making his first move coming away from five out, as he asked War Of Attrition to take closer order.
The winner joined issue with Strong Project two from home, with Rathgar Beau tracking the pair.
Strong Project was still very much in contention when he and David Casey went their separate ways at the last.
War Of Attrition was left in front, he was clearly travelling better than strong Project anyway, and O'Dwyer only had to push him out to hold Rathgar Beau comfortably.
“It was a cat and mouse race and there was no real gallop”, said O'Dwyer. “I am delighted with my horse, he is a proper one. Two and a half miles on this track is very short for him.”
Morris appeared to be thrilled. “I think that was good, your man (Rathgar Beau) is no slouch. The trouble with my horse he that he lacks experience.
“He will run next in the Durkan (Punchestown) and then it will be the Lexus at Leopardstown at Christmas. After that I don't know where he will go.”
Rathgar Beau's trainer, Dusty Sheehy, took defeat with a bit of style. “He will improve for the run, but was beaten by a better horse, there are no excuses”, said Sheehy. “The Hilly Way Chase at Cork is likely to be next and then it will be Leopardstown at Christmas.”
Eric McNamara introduced a very nice newcomer in the Ballingarry point-to-point winner, Stoneville, to take the INH Stallion Owners' EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Carrying the colours of J P McManus for the first time, Stoneville jumped and travelled like a decent horse in the making
Conor O'Dwyer, initiating a double, allowed him lead five from home and didn't have to ask any sort of question in the closing stages to score by eight lengths.
“It mightn't have been the best race, but you couldn't ask for any more”', reported O'Dwyer.
Said McNamara: “He has all the credentials to be a good horse. He will probably run next in a winners of one, but not for six or seven weeks, definitely not before Christmas.”
McNamara, who has his horses in terrific shape, was on the mark again when Harbour View outstayed his rivals in the Prior Park Service Station Handicap Hurdle.
Powerfully handled by in-form David Casey, the winner forged into the lead between the last two flights to beat Baily Breeze.
“This horse has been balloted out so often”, reported McNamara. “We took him to England (Hereford) and he won and has gone in again today, so it has worked out well. That slow, tacky ground suits him, it slows down the others.”
Willie Mullins' Spiritual Society landed some tasty wagers, 3-1 to 6-4, when easily taking the Sporting Press Handicap Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh anchored him out the back, before gradually closing into the final mile and driving his charge clear from the final flight.
Said Mullins: “He is a very, very hard horse to ride, but Ruby is able to settle him. He will stay over hurdles this season, but should win over fences down the line.”
Mullins' Sunami Storm was the business morning prices, and in the ring as well, for the EBF T.A Morris Memorial Mares Novice Chase, but disappointed in finishing a well beaten third.
Victory, however, went to another of the Mullins clan, Willie's brother Tom, with Court Leader, dashingly ridden by Robert Power.
She swept ahead over the fourth last and was always in charge up the straight, although former pointer Kerrys Cottage stayed on well enough to indicate her turn will not be long delayed.
Commented Tom Mullins: “I'm delighted, everything has been going wrong with the last month. She had the experience and that was in her favour.”
Mick Murphy, whose main business is pre-training horses at his Dundrum, Co Tipperary base, saddled his second winner on the racecourse when Ruby Walsh completed a double on Wondersobright in the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old made all the running, surving a mistake at the last to beat Permiya, who erred at the previous fence, with rider John Allen losing his irons.
Charlie Swan continued his good run when well-backed Some Bob Back surged ahead over a furlong down to win the Bumper.
