Victorious Affair for McCoy
He partnered Edward O’Grady’s Overbury Affair to succcess in the Irish Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle, but the Leopardstown bumper success story was less than impressive.
Backed from 4-5 to 8-13, he guessed at the second flight and threw a few more untidy leaps as well as the contest developed.
McCoy, however, brought him through to lead two from home and Overbury Affair stayed on to beat another carrying the McManus colours, the promising David Wachman trained, The Foyle.
“I thought he’d do it better and jump better,” reported O’Grady. “He jumps brilliantly at home, although he has never been away. He will go for the Barry and Sandra Kelly race at Navan. Whether he will run or not in the meantime, I don’t know.”
McCoy did ride at the old Mallow track, recalling he hadn’t made the trip since partnering one for Rosemary Rooney over six furlongs 12 years earlier.
Cashmans introduced Overbury Affair at 20-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but it is highly unlikely they will be knocked down in the rush!
Ruby Walsh was very impressed with Dermot Weld’s Tasman, after he had partnered him to a two lengths victory in the Galtee Meats Hurdle.
Tasman was always travelling sweetly and Walsh eased him ahead over the fifth last. Oh Be The Hokey, and McCoy, tried their case in the straight, but Tasman is a relentless galloper and never showed any signs of stopping.
“He stays really well, jumps great and has a great attitude,” said Walsh. “They didn’t go any gallop, that’s why I went on.”
Noel Meade’s Rocket Ship was all the rage in the Mitchelstown Cheese Maiden Hurdle, evens from 6-4, and never gave his supporters the slightest cause for concern.
Despite refusing to drop the bridle for much of the trip, he cruised into the lead for Paul Carberry between the final two flights to score with plenty in hand.
Meade indicated he regarded Rocket Ship as probably his best juvenile last season, but he came home from his final race at Fairyhouse lame and was on the easy-list for six weeks.
“It worked out well in the end, he stayed a novice,” said Meade. “If he ever learns to settle, he will be a right horse.”
In contrast to Rocket Ship, Mouse Morris’ Fota Island proved a costly failure for punters in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF ’Chase.
His technique over fences still leaves plenty to be desired. In the early stages, he was giving the obstacles far too much respect and was clearing them with feet to spare.
But, as the contest progressed, he became increasingly awkward and was running up and down on the one spot from early in the straight.
Dizzy’s Dream tried to make all and his only worry going to three out appeared to be a loose horse.
Paul Carberry quickly switched him to safety, but then Dizzy’s Dream spoiled everything by falling at the fence. Il En Reve, an unconsidered 14-1 shot, was left in front and made the rest to beat Big King with Fota Island a remote and disapppointng third. Carberry, falling his tumble, was stood down for the rest of the day.
John Kiely has yet another decent horse in the newcomer, Liscooney, who proved far too good for his rivals in the Bumper.
Handled with real confidence by Paul Cashman, the Old Vic gelding surged into the lead with just over a furlong to go to score largely unextended by four and a half lengths.
The rising star of the National Hunt game, Tom Ryan, was again seen to advantage aboard Pro Dancer in the Dairygold Light Handicap ’Chase.
The grey City Hall led four out, but hard as his pilot, Davy Russell, tried he couldn't resist the late surge of the Pat Doyle trained winner.
The Tom Foley trained Native Hall was produced with impeccable timing by Conor O’Dwyer to lead before the last and beat recent Tramore scorer, Escenica, in the Shaws’ Cooked Meats Handicap Hurdle.
