Shorter trip not a problem for Celestial Wave
Adrian Maguire’s daughter of Taipan was completing a hat-trick over a trip, two miles, which is certainly on the short side.
But she did her job well, making every yard of the running and answering every call from Carberry to beat Josephine Cullen, who was trying to close when none too good at the final flight.
Said Maguire: “We will take her home and see if she’s alright, but Fairyhouse and Punchestown, over two and a half miles, are possibilities.”
The six-year-old had been rested since scoring at Leopardstown at Christmas, but was a big order in the ring, finding 1-2 from 4-5.
Davy Russell, fresh from his first Festival success aboard Native Jack at Cheltenham, enjoyed an armchair ride on American Jennie in the Bank Of Ireland EBF Mares Novice Chase.
Dropped in class, following her creditable second to Church Island at Navan, the daughter of Lord Americo found this Grade Three a much easier task.
America Jennie made all and was always running away from market rival Sunami Storm through the final half mile.
“She will probably go to Fairyhouse for the Irish Naitonal and if not then for a valuable three mile handicap at Punchestown”, reported trainer, Michael Cullen.
Kevin Coleman took a nasty fall off Wont Leave An Oat at the first fence in the straight with a circuit to go. He was badly shaken, but essentially okay, and was stood down for the rest of the day.
The Edward O’Grady trained On Reflection was always long odds-on to win the Robert Butler Developments Maiden Hurdle.
He did the business, but you could hardly describe the son of Overbury as being in any way impressive.
Paddy Flood had to get stuck into him well before the straight, driving his charge ahead off the home turn.
On Reflection stayed on well enough in the closing stages and eventually crossed the line six lengths to the good in what was a moderate contest. Flood didn’t ride for the rest of the day, suffering from a sore foot.
The winner is owned by J P McManus, on hand to greet his charge, and the famous colours were back in the number one berth after Julius took the Signsplus Handicap Chase by 20 lengths.
The nine-year-old cantered to the front shortly after the third last and Denis O’Regan, having a first success for trainer Arthur Moore, was able to sit motionless in the closing stages.
“He jumped and travelled well and is on the upgrade”, said O’Regan.
Handicaps, by their very nature, are supposed to be competitive affairs but the Newcastle West Volkswagen Autos Handicap Hurdle was a notable exception.
Tony Martin’s Royal County Star went up 10lbs for winning easily at Punchestown previously, but it was to prove woefully inadequate.
He won by four and a half lengths, under a confident Ruby Walsh drive, but that gives no indication of his superiority.
Royal County Star made a mistake three from home, as he began to close on the leaders, and then arrived swinging on the bridle turning in.
The contest was in safe keeping when he stepped into the final flight, but picked up in a flash and eased away to score with any amount in hand.
One wag summed it up best when remarking: “He could have fallen at the last and still won!”
We await the handicapper’s next move.
John Murphy, at home continuing to enjoy the success of Newmill in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, struck again when 16-1 shot Final Act streaked away with the Mullins’ Electrical Beginners Chase.
Ridden with real patience by Eddie Power, Final Act cruised past long-time leader Vic Ville before the straight, scampering through the testing conditons to score in a canter.
Edward O’Grady, on the mark earlier with On Reflection, completed a double when Clopf made it two from two in the Cube Printing Bumper.
He got the best of a terrific tussle with Philp Fenton’s Woodbine Willie through the last two furlongs, getting on top close home to score by half a length.
It was a first success for rider James King, who is a nephew of trainer Pat Doyle. O’Grady will pick between Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown for the Dr Massini gelding’s next assignment.
