Golden Rows torms to facile victory
Edward O’Grady’s gelding looked totally different class to his rivals and was never in any danger of defeat.
The front-running Golden Beacon ran out at the fourth, hampering Pro Dancer in the process, who parted company with Ruby Walsh.
Colca Canyon was left in the lead, but he wasn’t going fast enough for Golden Row and Norman Williamson allowed the winner lead five from home.
From that point it was bar a fall for Golden Row, he jumped brilliantly throughout, and this progressive sort crossed the line 20 lengths to the good.
Said O’Grady: “Thankfully that was bloodless. I’m not sure where he will go next, it will probably be Listowel I’d imagine.
“He will keep going until the autumn, then have a break and come back in the spring.”
O’Grady and Williamson completed a double when Find The King won the Newmarket Motors Beginners ’Chase.
The cards, however, fell very much in favour of the five-year-old. Firstly, well-backed Bob What fell three from home when right on terms.
Then long-time leader, The Real Solara, who was full of running and a couple of lengths to the good, crashed out at the final fence. Find The King was left in front and made the rest for a very lucky success.
Robert Power, who partnered Bob What, suffered a broken left collar-bone.
Shay Barry had his first ever ride for Eugene O’Sullivan, aboard Tuba in the AIB Mallow Handicap ’chase, and it’s a certainty it won’t be his last.
Barry gave the eight-year-old a superb drive to make every yard of the running.
It was an exhilarating exhibition from horse and rider, as Tuba flew his fences and then held on for dear life, for an inspired pilot, close home as Native Performance closed with every stride.
Commented O’Sullivan: "I will enter him in the Kerry National, although he probably won’t get in.”
Euracert was the one most punters wanted, in the AIB Mares Maiden Hurdle, but she was beaten a short by Jazz Slipper.
The winner went between Presenting Mist and Euracert before the last and then battled on strongly to get the best of a tough battle with the favourite on the flat.
It was a first success for rider, Donnacha Duggan, from Ballyorgan, Co Cork, and a first as well for trainer, Cormac Flannery, from Scariff, Co Clare.
Jessica Harrington’s Moscow Court was always an odds-on chance for the Mitchelstown Maiden Hurdle and he duly did the business.
His previous three outings saw him take the runner-up spot in bumpers and you would have to say he was less than impressive here.
In a poor contest, Moscow Court went past the front running Good Fortune three out and looked set for an easy success. But he blundered at the final flight and had to be pushed our right out to the line by Barry Geraghty to score by two lengths.
Gallileo Strike, 5-2 to 5-4, was the business in the ring for the Dromahane Handicap Hurdle, but went down to Cooldine Prince.
It was a good effort on the part of the front-running winner, considering he made a bad blunder at the third.
Gallileo Strike tried hard to close in the straight, neither of the principals was foot-perfect at the final flight, but it was Cooldine Prince who showed the greater resolution on the level.
