Missed That gives his Cheltenham prospects a major boost
He has come a long way since making a bad start over fences at Thurles in early December and will head for Prestbury Park a live contender.
This was his third success in-a-row and he is one of those horses who does just enough and is difficult enough to get a handle on.
“I am delighted with the way David Casey rode him”, said Mullins. “David told me a horse jumped across in front of him at the second and Missed That got the fright of his life.
“His jumping was a bit sticky early on, but David gave him time to get into the race. I didn’t think I would be here after Thurles.”
Tony McCoy was in no hurry with Justified, but allowed him stride on five from home. Dusty Sheehy’s charge soon held a healthy lead, but died a thousand deaths in the straight, as Arteea edged ahead. Missed That, however, found plenty for Casey pressure and he powered past Arteea on the flat to win cosily in the end by an unflattering three parts of a length.
“I don’t think he will run again before Cheltenham and it will definitely be the Arkle”, reported Mullins. “We hope he will produce the speed he showed when winning the bumper there last year.
“He will handle quicker ground and has a nice light action.”
Grahams were hugely impressed and now make Missed That 7-2 favourite, from 12-1, for the Arkle. William Hill go 7-1, from 10’s, with Acccordion Etoile and Racing Demon their joint favourites at 5-1 Paddy Power halved Missed That’s price from 12-1 to 6-1, Cashmans 7-1 from 10-1 and Boylesports now have three co-favourites at 5-1, Accordion Etoile, Racing Demon and Missed That, the last-named from 10’s.
The hitherto exciting ex-French horse Nickname proved most disappointing, after somewhat surprising tactics were adopted.
He was held up by Conor O’Dwyer, hit the fourth hard and was out of contention when pulled up before the third last. It subsequently transpired he had burst a blood vessel.
Mullins completed a double when introducing yet another smashing newcomer in Equus Maximus to justify favouritism in the Bumper.
The son of Flemensfirth was up front throughout and Katie Walsh’s mount was too strong for market rival Lord Lumey from the furlong pole.
“He’s a fair beast”, said Mullins. “He didn’t fire at Christmas, so we put him by. The Cheltenham bumper is the plan and he is a real staying chaser in the making.”
Cashmans offered 6-1 Equus Maximus for Cheltenham, Boylesports 11-2 and Paddy Power 5-1 favourite. Grahams, however, went a whopping 14-1, but soon came more in line and changed that to 7-1.
Nicanor continued Noel Meade’s terrific run when outclassing his rivals in the P J Walls Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle. He has threatened for a while to produce a display like this, but has been held back by poor jumping technique.
There was nothing wrong with that here, however, and Nicanor could be mapped as the likely winner a long way from home.
Travino went for glory with under a circuit to cover, but Nicanor was galloping all over him approaching the home turn. Paul Carberry eased his charge ahead heading to the final flight and the five-year-old crossed the line 11 lengths to the good.
Said Meade: “He’s been crying out for a gallop and got it today. We have always thought he was very good.
“When he got beaten at Navan (1-6), he was racing on the worst of the ground. He won’t run again before Cheltenham and it will be straight to the SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle.”
William Hill tightened Nicanor from 16-1 to 7’s, with Paul Nicholls’ Denman the 3-1 market leader. Grahams shortened Nicanor from 14’s to 10-1 and with Cashmans it was 8-1 from 12’s.
Tony McCoy began his day by guiding Charles O’Brien’s Vintage Gold to a last-gasp short head victory in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle. It was a typical McCoy display, grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat, after Schindlers Hunt looked the likely winner for most of the straight.
Said O’Brien: “That will keep me amused until the flat season starts. He blew up at Cork last time and needs a bit of decent ground and a strong pace. I’ve put him him in at Cheltenham (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), but whether he will go or not we will see.”
Dermot Weld’s well-backed faovourite Bobs Pride jumper poorly and could not get in a blow heading to the last.
Eric McNamara’s Good Thyne Jack completed a four-timer with a smooth victory in the Flying Legend At Ballintry Stud Handicap Hurdle.
His previous three successes came at Limerick, but this showed he is far from a one-trick pony, cruising ahead before the last for Robert Power to score with plenty in hand.
“He will keep going until Noel O’Brien (handicapper) stops him”, said McNamara. “I don’t think he will head for Cheltenham.
’“I really fancied him there in November and he ran terrible, there will be plenty at home for the horse.”
Tom Taaffe’s Solar System dug deep to win the Clarkson Financial and Property Handicap Chase, under a determined Barry Geraghty drive.
He looked set to be swamped by both Green Belt Flyer and Zum See coming away from the final fence, but refused to wilt and was well on top in the closing stages.
Taaffe said Solar System will have some entries in handicaps at Cheltenham, but wouldn’t travel unless he was convinced he would finish in the first four!
The attendance was 10,771, with the bookmkaers holding €2,348,436.
