High Priestess toys with her Gold Cup rivals
The handicapper, in theory the best judge of all, had signposted the mare’s outstanding claims putting her by that amount, following a cracking effort behind Holy Orders at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
In doing the business in style, High Priestess was continuing the terrific run of talented claimer, Rory Cleary.
The Last Hurrah carried them along at a sedate gallop, as Cleary had High Priestess poised to strike when good and ready.
“My only worry was turning in, there wasn’t a lot of daylight”, said Cleary. But the split soon came and he nipped through between The Last Hurrah and Former Senator quick as a flash.
The winner surged ahead just inside the furlong pole and the young rider was able to take it decidedly easy in the closing stages.
Said Cleary: “She loves that ground, is tough and honest and keeps trying.”
An unlucky in running Valentina Guest stayed on for a remote second, in front of Faasel.
The plan for High Priestess now is that she will head for a Listed race at Galway and then go back hurdling.
Christy Geoghegan, who partnered Faasel, was found guilty of careless riding inside the final furlong and suspended for two days.
Local trainer, Tom Cooper, had his first winner since the brilliant Total Enjoyment landed the Weatherbys’ Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March when Owennacurra Bobby foiled a gamble on Cloudy Bays in the Ballygarry House Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Cloudy Bays was backed from 7-4 to evens and tried to make all the running. But Niall Madden drove Owennacurra Bobby ahead coming away from the third last and the four-year-old survived an error at the final flight to score cosily.
“He’s a good tough horse and will win more races”, reported Cooper.
Regarding Total Enjoyment, Jim Culloty will maintain his partnership with her, Cooper said: “She came back in very strong and will have one run (over hurdles) before the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. After that we will play it by ear.”
Susan Finn, who took out a licence in April, enjoyed her second success when Rosmaire got the best of a tight three-way battle with Indian Pace and All Diamonds in the United Beverages/Australian Jockey Cub Maiden. “I am delighted for the owner (Joe Quaid, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick), he’s been waiting 20 years for a winner”, reported Finn.
She has 12 horses in her care and is based at Ballydesmond in Co Cork. Rosmaire got a strong drive from 18-year-old Billy Lee. This was his 10th winner of the campaign and took his tally to 42 overall.
The Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden was won in smooth style by John Oxx’s Tazmeera.
She didn’t show much on her debut, but clearly came on plenty for the experience and made practically all the running in the hands of Michael Kinane.
“She swam the best, it’s a swamp”, reported Kinane. Well-backed favourite Camouflage ranged up to hold every chance off the final turn, but was soon struggling.
Capable claimer David Moran gave Addario a fine drive to beat Michael Kinane on Fit The Cove in the Kirbys’ Brogue Inn/Lanterns Rose Of Tralee Handicap.
Fit The Cove made most, but Addario got a dream run up the inside in the straight to master that leader inside the furlong pole.
“She’s in again at Gowran on Sunday, but we’ll see what the handicapper says before making plans”, indicated Bolger.
The stewards, however, concluded that Moran had used his whip with excessive frequency and he was suspended for three days.
The Tralee Vintners’ Paddy Kearns Memorial Maiden Hurdle wasn’t much of a contest, but it did house an impressive victor in Charlie Swan’s Master Ofthe Chase.
He jumped and travelled really well throughout, led going to the third last and was soon clear.
“I’ve always thought he wanted good ground, but David (Casey, jockey) said he wanted it soft”, revealed Swan.
Hordago ran out a clear-cut six lengths winner of the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle, after Garret Cotter had eased him into the lead heading to three out.
“We bought him last October in France when we were over for the Prix de L’Arc”, said trainer, Eric McNamara.
“He disappointed us at first, but all that was needed was time to acclimatise. He won’t run again now until Listowel.”
Sherberry was the one most punters wanted in the Tom McGiff Pluming Maiden Hurdle. She tried to make all, but some indifferent jumping was hardly a help.
Willie Mullins’ mare was still in front into the straight, but Peter Fahey brought Ciara’s Surprise with a steady challenge to ease past on the approach to the last.
