Meade notches second century
The second leg of a double for stable-jockey Paul Carberry, Guantama Bay outpointed market rival Southern Vic by a length, prompting Meade to explain: “It has always been a big ambition of mine, to train a hundred winners in a year. But, believe me, it's hard work.”
“We topped the hundred two years ago, when we reached a tally of 103. And it's great to do it again, particularly with the busy Christmas programme still to come.”
Meade, who intends finding a “winners-of-one over a trip” for Guantama Bay over the Christmas period, confirmed that his Smurfit Champion Hurdle favourite Harchibald is likely to run in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St. Stephen's Day rather than facing Hardy Eustace and Solerina at Leopardstown.
He explained: “At the moment, I'm leaning towards Kempton. But no definite decision will be made until after he works on Tuesday. The ground at Kempton will be better and I definitely don't want to run him in heavy at Leopardstrown.”
Paul Carberry had earlier been the architect of the defeat of the well-backed pair Haggle Twins and New Field in the Christmas Vouchers At Gowran Park Golf Shop Novice Hurdle. In initiating his double, Carberry dictated the pace on the Leonard Whitmore-trained Wishwillow Lord and the son of Lord Americo readily shook off the attentions of the market-leaders in the closing stages to record an emphatic win.
“He stays well and will not have problems with two and a half miles,” declared trainer Whitmore, “And he'll appreciate better ground.”
Whitmore was full of praise for the progeny of Lord Americo. “I've trained six of them and they have all won for me,” before confirming that Wishwillow Lord, conqueror of Sweet Kiln in his penultimate start, will now step-up in class, possibly in the Slaney Hurdle at Naas on January 2.
On his first visit to Gowran in ten years, Tony McCoy endured a frustrating day, getting beaten on his only two rides (both owned by J P McManus), Adarma and New Field.
Successful at Cork on Sunday, 2/7 favourite Adarma was turned over by Another Dollar, ridden by Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington, in the four-runner Tattersalls Ireland Mares Chase.
Another Dollar, forced to miss the race won by Adarma at Cork due to passport irregularities, will now seek some black type before being retired to owner Godfrey Deacon's stud.
McCoy's second mount New Field flattered to deceive in the novice hurdle, eventually finishing third behind Wishwillow Lord.
In contrast, claimer Denis O'Regan matched Paul Carberry's achievement of recording a double, making all the running to triumph on both Thecaulofesker and Burnt Out.
“He's entitled to take his chance in the 'Durkan' and will finish in the money,” said trainer Frank Ennis, confirming the big juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on St.Stephen's Day as the winner's target.
O'Regan again dictated the pace on the Al O'Connell-trained top-weight Burnt Out to record a shock win in the Yule Log Mares Handicap Hurdle.
