Cash judges it superbly as last to first Jurado Express steams in
It was a case of last to first for the eight-year-old, who turned for home at the rear, but clearly travelling best of all. Jurado Express struck the front between the final two fences, threw a mighty leap at the last and stretched clear to beat Quadco, who blundered badly at the fifth from home.
Said Cash: “I was a bit worried coming down the hill, he was feeling the ground, but winged the last two and galloped away.”
Davy Russell, he didn’t ride for the rest of the evening after getting a fall in the second contest, gave the Pat Doyle trained Ulysses Grant a fine drive to win the Comeragh Maiden Hurdle.
Stable Whisper, in front five out, was slow over the last and Russell seized his chance to drive his charge past half way up the run in.
Ulysses Grant carried the colours of the Gigginstown Stud, owned by Ryanair’s, Michael O’Leary. On hand to greet the winner was O’Leary’s brother, Eddie, who manages his horses. Commented Doyle: “We’ve been waiting for nice ground and fancied him. I don’t bet, but Eddie and Michael had a few quid on.”
Easy-to-back favourite, Christmas River, never promised and was a poor fifth when pulled up before the second last, having lost her action.
Both Tribal Princess and Young Vintage were strong market orders for the Clonmel Mares Hurdle and they totally dominated the finish.
Victory went to Tribal Princess, given a very positive drive by David Casey. She went on heading to the fourth last, after Paul Carberry waited a fair way of his ground on Young Vintage. He produced her, however, to hold every chance going to the final flight but she was soon off the bridle and could never get in a real blow.
Said winning trainer, Pat Fahy: “She loves that ground and will go for a handicap now.”
Casey was on the mark again when partnering Eric McNamara’s Gold Flo to a smooth success in the Kilsheelan Handicap Hurdle.
Runner-up behind Brigadier Brown at Limerick previously, Gold Flo eased ahead between the last two flights to beat Burren Moonshine.
“She just might go to Punchestown on Friday night, under a 4lbs penalty, for a three miler”, reported McNamara.
Liam Burke’s Give Me Style, just touched off by Charging at Killarney, went one better when taking the Lisronagh Handicap Chase.
Always prominent, she was left in front when Torose, who just about held the call, fell at the penultimate obstacle and Give Me Style had the measure of Kilmayle when that one departed the scene at the next.
“She’s in foal to Humbel and deserved that”, said Burke. The daughter of Mister Lord is likely to continue racing for the next two months.
Tom Mullins saddled his third winner, since taking out a licence, when Bob What made every yard of the running in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase.
The Flying Mustang threatened danger all the way to the line, but Robert Power kept Bob What going to score by a short head.
“He probably wants a bit further”, said Mullins. “He will keep going through the summer, there will be plenty of races for him.”
