Man About Town sets the record straight with narrow win
The Fairyhouse bumper winner fell on his debut over flights at Punchestown last month, but set the record straight to give Barry Geraghty his first success since returning from injury. He made every yard of the running, but had to get the full Geraghty treatment on the run in to hold the late surge of Arc En Ciel, performing over a trip short of his best, by a fast diminishing half a length.
“I am delighted with his jumping”, said Taaffe. “He took a real tug, however, and has to grow up a bit. A winners of one at Cork on November 21 will now be considered.”
Ruby Walsh gave Willie Mullins’ Mountain Snow, best for money in the ring, a typically strong ride to take the Irish Coursing Club Handicap Hurdle.
The son of Barathea had plenty to do turning for home back in fourth spot, but Walsh drove him for all he was worth to grab the flattering Rocksham at the last. “I’ll try and follow up with another handicap, the jockey was good”, remarked Mullins.
Walsh completed a double when turning what looked certain defeat into victory aboard Cratloe Castle in the Templetuohy Farm Machinery Handicap Hurdle.
Michael Hourigan’s charge was always prominent, but appeared to be struggling early in the straight as Hits And Memories and Kings Apple fought it out up front.
But the son of Aahsaylad rallied to such effect that he was in control heading to the final flight.
“He’s a dour stayer and we will probably have to travel to England to get a race over three and quarter miles”, commented Hourigan. “Ruby said you couldn’t go far enough on him.”
The frustrating Christy Roche trained Twist ’N Shout put it all together with a smooth victory in the Tipp FM Maiden Hurdle. He was given a very good drive by Mark Walsh, tracking the leaders for much of the journey, before being produced to take over from front-running Sans Souci Boy at the second last.
Well-backed Kerryhead Windfarm was soon challenging, but Walsh had saved plenty to score by a snug length.
Frank Berry represented Roche and J P McManus, he also owns Man About Town, and commented: “Mark is very good value for his claim.
“We didn’t think it would take this horse so long to win, but he’s had lots of problems and Christy has done well to get him back. Novice ’chasing will be his game.”
Dungourney handler, Alan Lucey, who enjoyed his first win when Millview Rose took a Wexford bumper, doubled the tally when the mare stayed on dourly to land the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.
She was powered ahead down hill to the home turn by Adrian Lane and battled well to hold Find The Way.
Lucey, who had held a licence for less than two years, delightedly reported: “She is the only horse I have and is trained out in the back garden!”
Steel Band, a faller on his debut over fences at Gowran Park, showed no ill-effects in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Captain Christy Novice Chase.
He was produced with impeccable timing by Keith Hadnett to hit the fornt at the last and beat Randwick Roar, in front at the previous fence, by three lengths.
“He’s a funny horse, who jumps for sport and wants heavy ground”, said trainer, Paul Roche.
Lovely Present got the best of the battle with Court Leader from the furlong pole in the Bumper.
The daughter of Presenting is trained by Tucker Geraghty, father of jockeys, Barry and Ross. The dam of the winner, Lovely Run, actually gave Geraghty senior his very first success.
