Drinmore Chase a possibility as Pizarro makes satisfactory debut over fences
He frequently had problems jumping hurdles, but the evidence here is that will be the least of his worries at this game.
Indeed, his technique was quite superb. He went long and short for Barry Geraghty and was just too good for his rivals.
The one note of caution, however, came after the last fence, as he showed a decided tendency to hang towards the stands.
Geraghty popped him to the front four from home and Atlantic Rhapsody never looked likely to get in a blow in the closing stages.
Said O’Grady: “The natural progression is the Drinmore Chase (Fairyhouse). I was very pleased with his jumping and he will be better over a longer trip.
“Fitness was a worry. He had two schools, one with Norman Williamson at Roscommon, but had no gallop.”
David Wachman’s Callow Lake made an excellent debut over jumps with an easy success in the Cahir Maiden hurdle. Mark Grant allowed him lead over the third last and the imposing gelding made the rest to beat Dolmur.
Said Wachman: “He’s a good, tough horse and very genuine. He wants better ground than that and will now be put away until the spring.”
Corrib Boy went off a heavily backed market leader, finding 5-4 from 6-4. Ruby Walsh’s mount was in second place, but well held by the winner, when blundering badly at the penultimate obstacle.
In The Dip left a disappointing effort at Thurles well behind with a clear-cut victory in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
He came from well off the pace to sweep past the flattering Miss Hushabye between the last two flights and score with plenty in hand.
He now heads down the novice hurdle route with trainer, Joe Crowley, remarking: “We didn’t know if he would handle the ground.”
A tasty touch was landed by the Paul Nolan yard when Windswept Leader, 3-1 to 15-8 favourite, took the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle. He certainly had a large slice of luck on his side, however, before the money wended its way out of the satchels.
Lord Of The Furze edged on before two out and still looked the likely winner jumping the final flight, despite the fact Windswept Leader was coming back at him.
In any case Lord Of The Furze crumbled at the back of the obstacle, leaving Windswept Leader with a simple task. Commented Nolan: “I don’t accept my horse was beaten, he’s a dour stayer. He goes over fences now.”
Smart Design, having a first run for Michael Hourigan, dismissed his rivals with the minimum of fuss in the Equine Warehouse Handicap Chase when making virtually all in the hands of Paul Carberry. Endastory took him on from five out, but was starting to cry enough when erring at the second last.
Martin Mooney enjoyed his second success in two days when partnering Coccinelle to land the Fethard Handicap Hurdle.
Coccinelle powered ahead heading to the final flight to score from Brigadier Brown and Lotomore Lad, taken from 7-1 to 9-2.
Elva Express, trained by Joseph Quinn at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, outstayed Austocon in the Powerstown Desmene Handicap Hurdle. Continuing the terrific run of Shay Barry, Elva Express was in front over the third last, shaking off the persistent challenge of the runner-up on the flat.
