Testing ground no problem for Vision
Andrew McNamara powered her to the front heading to the final flight to beat the flattering Longueville Quest and Meet The Family.
“We didn’t think she would handle the ground”, reported O’Connell. “She will have another run or two over hurdles and then go chasing.”
McNamara wasted no time completing a 230-1 double when partnering Michael Hourigan’s Clock House to a 20-1 success in the Liberator Handicap Hurdle.
An unconsidered outsider he may have been, but Clock House revelled in the conditions, picking it up coming away from four out and streaking well clear in the straight.
It was a third double as a pro for McNamara, who quipped: “It’s only taken me six years to ride a winner on the track for Mike Hourigan.”
High Priestess left some disappointing efforts over flights solidly behind with an easy victory in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
As low as 2-5 in the morning, the on-course layers seemed very anxious to lay Michael O’Brien’s mare and she was on offer at all the 4-6 required.
That found favour and High Priestess was returned at 8-15. She never gave supporters a moment's worry, easing ahead three out for Barry Geraghty and cruising away to beat Sundeck by six lengths.
Brian O’Connell (18), son of former jockey and now Turf Club official, Val, gave Shoot The Breeze a fine drive to win the O’Keeffe Marquees Hire Handicap Hurdle.
Shoot the Breeze eased ahead before the straight and had little difficult holding Hartson in the closing stages.
Said trainer, Philip Fenton. “We were in two minds about running because of the ground. If the handicapper isn’t too hard he will go for another handicap, otherwise it will be novice chasing.”
Sound Witness made most to beat market-leader, Gortinard, in the Directors Beginners Chase.
Gortinard joined issue over the second last, but Barry Cash had saved a bit and the ex-winning pointer Sound Witness showed the greater resolution to score by three lengths. “I backed him and haven’t had a bet for a long time”, said trainer, Robert Tyner.
Davy Russell, out of luck on Gortinard, continued his recent terrific run earlier in the afternoon when making all the running aboard 14-1 shot Mattys Joy in the Ballybeggan Handicap Chase.
Magic Mark proved a costly favourite, struggling from the fourth last and trailing in a moderate ninth.
The Bumper was won in good style by Baker’s Bridge, who led off the home turn and stayed on dourly to beat Super Kay.
Trained by Tom Taaffe and strongly handled by Jamie Codd, Baker’s Bridge carried the Kicking King colours of Conor Clarkson.
