La Coudray sparkles in Drinmore romp
This was a high-class contest, but a measure of just how demanding the surface rode was that only four of the nine managed to complete the course.
You could be churlish and argue Le Coudray’s jumping was less than foot-perfect on occasions, but the name of the game surely was to see him turn in a clear round.
Multi-talented Barry Geraghty guided Christy Roche’s charge in classic fashion and had this field covered at all stages. Fiery Ring tried to make all, but the admirable Barrow Drive took over six from home. Geraghty was soon in that one’s slipstream and it was always only going to be a matter of when he popped the question.
Neither horse was particularly good over three out, but by the next it was all Le Coudray. He led here and was only asked to do enough on the level to score by six lengths.
The effort delighted trainer-Roche. “That was great and he will drop down in distance now for the Denny (two miles and one) at Leopardstown.
“I have no worries about running him over that trip, he’s a horse with plenty of speed.’’
Roche, typically, refused to be drawn on possible Cheltenham targets. “That’s a long way away’’, he remarked. “I’m just glad that when he was leaving Aidan’s (O’Brien) that J P (McManus) sent him to me.’’
Geraghty said: “It was very heavy ground and hard for them to jump out of it. He did it really well.’’
Cashmans shortened Le Coudray to 7-1, from 12’s, for the SunAlliance Novices Chase. He is joint favourite with Jair du Cochet.
Ruby Walsh, who took a fall from Boneyarrow, was stood down for the rest of the day.
Dessie Hughes has a smashing horse in Hardy Eustace, who battled like a lion to take the Boylesports’ Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Back In Front looked sure to score when going to the front over the second from home and he still seemed the business coming away from the last.
But Hardy Eustace answered the call in fine style for Kieran Kelly and was well on top in the last hundred yards.
Said Hughes: “He’s a good horse, he proved that today. He wants two and a half miles and will now go to Leopardstown at Christmas.
“I think he’s a SunAlliance horse, he’s tough and comes from a tough family.’’
Back In Front lost nothing in defeat. This was his first outing over flights and he is very much one to follow through the winter.
Grahams gave Hardy Eustace a 10-1 quote for the SunAlliance, which makes him second favourite behind Pizarrro (8-1).
Cashmans introduced Hardy Eustace into their betting at 12-1 with Pizarro 7-1 market leader.
They make Back in Front their 12-1 second favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, behind Rhinestone Cowboy (9-4).
Christy Roche added to the Le Coudray gains when Kadiskar toyed with the opposition in the J C’s Supermarket Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Moloney waited until the seocnd last before asking for an effort and the former Michael Stoute inmate eased clear to score with plenty in hand.
Said Roche: “I’ve always been fond of this horse. I felt it would take a special one to beat him today, I haven’t been so confident for a long time.’’
There are signs Willie Mullins’ horses are poised to hit top gear and he saddled the first two, Macs Gildoran and Ballyamber, in the opening Star Racegoers’ Handicap Chase.
Macs Gildoran was full of running early in the straight and Ruby Walsh allowed him lead over the second last.
The winner had a major danger removed, however, when well-backed top weight Ross Moff fell when challenging at the final fence.
Said Mullins: “Macs Gildoran had a wind operation and it seems to have worked well. He was going nicely at home.’’
Barry Geraghty enjoyed a tremendous two days. He scored on both Limestone Lad and Le Coudray and completed a treble on the day, and five for the weekend, when Evening Scent trotted up in the Winklink Marketing Handicap Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington’s charge eased ahead before the home turn and was much too good for the heavily backed Colnel Rayburn in the closing stages.
Geraghty, champion jockey once before, is making a brave attmept to win it again. He is now on the 51-winner mark for the campaign, just seven adrift of the current champion, Paul Carberry.
