Owner’s Kim Fontaine plan works a treat
Carrying the colours of Dr Brendan Doyle, Kim Fontaine seemed to be fighting a losing battle three out and still had plenty to do off the final turn, back in a remote fourth place.
Strike Back took over from mistake-prone Kahuna at the second last, looking sure to score.
But Walsh got a real tune out of his charge to forge past Strike Back with less than a hundred yards to go.
Commented a delighted Doyle, who recently told trainer Willie Mullins to take the horse out of the SunAlliance at Cheltenham: “This was his SunAlliance. We worked out that winning here was worth more than finishing second at Cheltenham!”
Said Mullins: “Novice hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown are now on the agenda.”
Noel Meade’s Afistfullofdollars was supported from 4-7 to 2-5 to take the Bumper, but was all out to beat Doctors Orders. The favourite ran wide off the bend past the stands, but was soon back on an even keel, taking on the the trail-blazing Doctors Orders heading to the straight.
It was touch and go for a long time through the last couple of furlongs, before Afistfullofdollars forged a length clear in the closing stages. “The plan was to ride him handy, but he missed the break. He will hardly run again this season”, said Meade.
“The Grand National is a possibility, he would be a great ride round Aintree”, remarked Mouse Morris, after his Alcapone had outstayed well-backed Adamant Approach in the Cashel Fine Arts Chase. Alcapone took over from Beachcomber Bay at the second last, as Adamant Approch improved from behind to challenge.
There wasn’t much between the pair rising to the final fence, but it was the winner who found the most for Barry Geraghty.
Davids Lad was a huge disappointment back in sixth spot, even allowing for the fact the trip was on the short side. He tracked the leaders, but found nothing coming away from the fifth last.
Tom McCourt’s Eurolink Rooster was a desperately unlucky loser of the Thurles Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
He tried to make all the running and was a good eight lengths to the good, and seemingly assured of victory, when crumbling under Barry Geraghty at the final flight.
Seemore Street was left in front to give Nenagh handler, Tony Seymour, his first success of the campaign.
Seemore Street was capably handled by claimer, Tom Ryan, who was enjoying the seventh successs of his career. Gamble of the contest was Jessica Harrington’s Supreme Rebel, taken from 5-2 to 5-4. He jumped indifferently, however, and was struggling well before three out.
Rider, Robert Power, later reported that his charge hung badly left in running.
Oh Be The Hokey, trained by Charlie Swan for J P McManus, fell when holding every chance at the second last at Navan, but made no mistake in the Broadway Flyer At Greentree Stud Beginners Chase.
He made most of the running, in the hands of David Casey, steadily drawing clear from the fourth last.
Swan is currently on a skiing holiday in Austria and McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, did the honours. “It’s nice to see him do it after Navan and he will now head for a winners of one somewhere”, reported Berry.
Edward O’Grady’s Coast To Coast, disqualified after scoring by a short head at Down Royal, redressed the balance with a clear-cut victory in the AES (Ireland Ltd) Maiden Hurdle.
In the process he completed a double for Barry Geraghty, easing him onto the 100-winner mark, domestically, the first time he has achieved the feat, for the season.
Coast To Coast bounded ahead two out and soon stretched clear to beat Mister Virginian. “He will be a chaser next season”, remarked O’Grady.
Arthur Moore’s Bon Temps Rouler continues to flatter. Taken at 5-2 in the morning and from 6-4 to 5-4 on-track, he showed little enthusiasm when the pressure was applied.
The very moderate Prime Beef Handicap Chase went to Clonmel Commercial, who proved too strong for Gemmas Lady in the straight.
