Newlands Gold runs eye-catching Pierse Hurdle trial
The five-year-old’s six length win over even-money favourite Jirlan, to which he was conceding 24lb., was greeted with mixed feelings by trainer Michael O’Brien, delighted with the gelding’s performance but fearful of the discretionary penalty which handicapper Noel O’Brien will impose for next week’s big handicap.
Only a third racecourse winner for 7lb. claimer Tommy Ryan, Newlands Gold mastered the flattering favourite at the final flight before powering clear for a convincing success.
Seventh in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last March, Newlands Gold has obviously gone the right way in the interim and, depending on his penalty, must be on every short-list for the ‘Pierse’ on January 11.
Paul Carberry, out of luck on Jirlan, was earlier seen at his most confident and cheekiest as he brought the Dermot Weld-trained hurdling debutant Govamix home an effortless winner of the New Year Maiden Hurdle.
Govamix, which fared best of the Irish challengers in the Cheltenham Bumper last March, jumped fluently and won in a canter, with Carberry sitting motionless alongside a hard-at-work Paddy Flood on runner-up Admiral Brown, which was beaten only a half-length.
But it was impossible to assess just how much the champion-jockey had up his sleeve.
Govamix was cut to 16/1 (from 20) by Cashmans for the Supreme Novices Hurdle on the strength of this performance. But trainer Weld refused to look beyond a winners’ event as an immediate target for Seamus Mulryan’s classy grey.
The colours of J P McManus have been carried to success by many smart bumper performers in recent weeks, both in Ireland and Britain.
And Tom Taaffe introduced another highly promising newcomer for the champion owner when Man About Town, confidently ridden by Kevin Power, cruised to a smooth win in the bumper.
Taaffe regards the Bob Back gelding as a very exciting prospect but “still a big baby” and has no firm plans, awaiting guidance from owner McManus and his racing manager Frank Berry.
Barry Cash started the New Year in fine form, chalking up a double on Camptect and Marcus Du Berlais.
Owned and trained by David Fitzgerald, Camptect followed-up a recent win at Navan when swooping late to snatch the spoils from Sivermetimber in the Firsty Crack Handicap Hurdle.
But Cash had an easier task guiding the Arthur Moore-trained Marcus Du Berlais to a convincing three lengths win over longshot Charging in the Kilbride Beginners Chase.
And it was a day to remember for County Wexford amateur Dermot Whelan and trainer Martina Doran thanks to the victory of Seminole Chief in the Hangover Maiden Hurdle.
Whelan, a very experienced rider in the point-to-point field, was recording his first racecourse success, an achievement matched by Seminole Chief’s trainer.
