Trainers, jockeys unhappy with firm ground
It was somewhat surprising to discover that the ground was officially good, firm in places. As a result there were numerous withdrawals through the afternoon, including top weight Foxchapel King from the feature.
Commented his trainer, Mouse Morris: “I was told the ground was going to be good to yielding, but in my opinion it’s good to firm. I have apologised to the sponsors, but am not willing to take a chance.’’
After Ruby Walsh had ridden in two of the first three races, a chase and a hurdle, he said: “The ground rode good on the chase, but was soft on the hurdle course.’’ The experienced Conor O’Dwyer said: “It’s good ground, but there are soft patches in the back straight and in the straight. It’s not on at a state-of-the-art facility.’’
Morris’ late decision to take out Foxchapel King meant the alternative handicap didn’t come into the play.
If he had withdrawn his charge before declaration time then the weights would have gone up, allowing three of the four horses who were out of the handicap to compete off their correct marks.
Only six then faced the starter and one of them, Prince Of Pleasure, departed the scene at the first.
Ironically, O’Dwyer partnered eventual winner, More Than A Stroll, who was left in front when Prince Of Pleasue fell.
Except for a brief period, when Arctic Copper led going to the fourth, More Than A Stroll, trained by Arthur Moore, made the rest.
Arctic Copper tried hard to close in the straight and when O’Dwyer’s mount got in a trifle close to the final fence the outcome was in the balance for a few strides. But More Than A Stroll kept pulling it out for pressure and crossed the line a hard-earned length to the good.
Market leader Monty’s Pass was beaten heading to the home turn and could only plug on one-paced for third spot.
Said Moore: “We were very hopeful coming here, the horse was in good form. I have the Beecher ’Chase at Liverpool in mind for him.
“But he could also go for the Troytown at Navan or a two and a half mile (Morris Oil ’Chase) at Clonmel. He has plenty options.’’
Edward O’Grady’s Colonel Monroe looks a horse with a future, following his trouncing of the heavily backed Moss Bawn in the Newenham Mulligan Novice Hurdle.
Moss Bawn was backed from 5-2 to 11-10, but the money was always destined to remain in the satchels.
Norman Williamson took the sweet-jumping winner ahead over the fifth last and Moss Bawn was never able to get in any sort of blow from that point.
Said O’Grady: “He’s a nice jumper and we will probably keep him to this sort of trip (two and a half miles).’’
Ansar proved a hugely disappointing favourite in the Ladbrokes Ireland Kilbnegnet EBF Novice Chase.
He was never travelling particularly well and a blunder five out, when chasing the leader, Fiery Ring, left him fighting a losing battle.
Indeed, Fiery Ring made every yard of the running for Ross Geraghty and it was bar a fall for John Fowler’s charge over the last four fences.
Said Fowler: “He was lucky, he hurdled the first and it put manners on him. The ground is the key, he has to have it good.’’
Be My Royal, Jaguar Claw and Mandys Gold all declined the engagement for the EBF Novice Chase, leaving a field on only four, two of which could be described as no-hopers.
Cloudy Bays tried to make all, but favourite Putsometnby wore him down between the last two fences to score by a length and a half. Paul Carberry partnered Kevin O’Brien’s charge, after his intended pilot, Garrett Cotter, had cried off sick.
Said O’Brien: “That is badly needed, I have had so many seconds over the last few months. The Irish National is the long-term plan.’’
The Limerick Frozen Food Hurdle threw up a puzzling result with victory going to Milkat, who had little or no chance at the weights, on all known form, with stable companion, Czar Of Peace.
But while Czar Of Peace struggled in the last six furlongs, he eventually finished fifth, Milkat, and Sam Curling, went to the front before the last to beat fellow outsider, Bellingham.
Always Game, taken into the lead two out by Barry Geraghty, held on for dear life close home to beat the fast finishing Stero Heights in the Michael Punch and Partners Handicap Hurdle.
Larry Hurley took a fall from Gatso at the fifth and was removed to hospital with a suspected broken leg.
David O’Leary was seen to advantage on Classic Lash in the Oakbruce Properties Handicap Hurdle, sending him into the lead four from home and saving enough in the closing stages to first resist Logical Star and then Loughbeg Rambler.
