Euro Leader puts up tremendous weight carrying performance
The progressive and imposing seven-year-old had a difficult task attempting to defy a 13lbs penalty incurred at Tralee previously, but answered every call from his pilot.
Euro Leader displayed real courage in the closing stages to beat Monterey Bay, who was in receipt of a whopping 25lbs, by a neck.
Willie Mullins, just returned from a two weeks holiday in Zanzibar and Kenya, and looking all the better for the break, was on hand to greet his gelding.
“It is my first Kerry National and I’m delighted”, said Mullins. “I thought the 12-0 and the penalty would just prove too much for him.”
Walsh hunted Euro Leader round towards the rear of the field for much of the journey, with Timmy Murphy easing heavily-backed Monterey Bay to the front starting out on the final circuit. Euro Leader blundered six out, but Walsh quickly gathered him together again and had him in full flow heading to the home turn.
Monterey Bay was inclined to hang out to the centre of the track on straightening for the judge and Walsh is not one to turn down such an invitation. He flashed his charge up the inside and Euro Leader grabbed a marginal advantage landing over the second last.
The winner, however, was less than impressive at the next, giving Monterey Bay another chance. Gradually, he closed on the level, but the post came in time and there was a neck between the principals at the line.
“The fact he stayed three miles opens up options for us for the rest of the season”, said Mullins. “My immediate reaction is he might head to the Hennessy at Newbury, but I would like to go home and think about it.”
Commented Walsh: “That was great under 12-0. He wasn’t good at the final fence, but flew the third last and second last when I wanted him. If he was better at the last he would have won by half a length more.”
Andrew Heffernan, who trains six horses at Athboy, Co Meath, was on the mark when Colm O’Donoghue guided Makishma to a clear-cut success in the Ballygarry House Hotel Median Auction Maiden.
The daughter of Namid was brought with a powerful late challenge to cut down Amelia Anne and disappointing favourite, Much Reality, with less than a furlong to travel.
“It’s about time we had a winner”, said Heffernan. “She likes some juice in the ground and came on plenty for her last run at Fairyhouse.”
Pat Smullen, who was suspended for ten days for elbowing O’Donoghue in a race here on Tuesday, was back in the stewards’ room, with O’Donoghue, after this contest.
The stewards inquired into an incident approximately five furlongs out between Makishma and Smullen’s mount, Max Almighty.
The conclusion was that Smullen was given the benefit of the doubt, but advised to make more of an effort to avoid incidents of this nature in future.
Tomorrow’s Dream, taken at 3-1 in the morning and from 9-4 to 6-4 on track, proved a costly failure in the Kerryman Maiden Hurdle. His technique left plenty to be desired and he found little for Ruby Walsh pressure on the run to the second last.
Victory went to Hardwick, ridden by Colman Sweeney for Adrian Maguire. He bounded to the front going to the penultimate flight to win with plenty in hand.
Said Maguire: “Tom Gilligan and Kevin Cronin (owners) asked me to look out for a good horse and thank God they bought him. He is a very good horse.”
Harry Rogers’ Fit The Cove produced a fine performance to defy top weight in the Tom Browne Memorial Handicap.
Ridden positively by Kevin Manning, the five-year-old was in front over two furlongs down and galloped on strongly to score by a decisive two and a half lengths.
Said Roger: “He’s in a Group Three at Tipperary next week and might take his chance, the softer the ground the better.”
Aidan O’Brien’s De Laurentiis, who weaved about a fair bit when beaten on his debut at Roscommon, showed the benefit of that outing when taking the betfair.com Race.
The son of Sadler’s Wells was only fifth two furlongs out, but buckled down in fine style to sweep ahead inside the furlong pole and beat market-leader, Dream To Dress.
Morning-price gamble Valentina Guest hit the front early in the straight, but didn’t appear to quite see out the 12 furlongs!
Some hefty wagers went astray on Charles Byrnes’ Twofan in the Schering Plough Animal Health Veterinary Maiden Hurdle. Backed from 3-1 to 2-1, he was allowed stride on by Andrew McNamara going out for the final time.
But his jumping was poor and when Twofan hit the second last he was beaten in a matter of strides.
Mount Grace, always prominent, soon edged ahead, but Alan Crowe brought Christy Roche’s Charyan through with impeccable timing to hit the front close home and score by half a length.
Joe Crowley’s Curragh Gem made light of a 9lbs rise in the weights for winning at Roscommon with another easy success in the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap Chase.
Superbly handled by John Allen, he shrugged off a blunder four out to lead before the second last and beat Mattys Joy cosily.
James Bowe’s Veedon Fleece made every yard of the running to beat In Debted Friend’s half a length in the Bumper. The winner was ridden by 19-year-old Noel McParlan from Co Down, enjoying a second success on the track.
Betting with the bookmakers was well up on a year ago at €1,820,150, against €1,557,449. Almost €300,000 was bet on the National.
