Sweet Kiln upholds Bowe tradition
There was still plenty to play for when Native Scout came down as he was about to challenge the long-time leader.
That left the Dessie Hughes-trained Central House, ridden by Paul Carberry, to come home 12 lengths clear of Colonel Rayburn.
Hughes said: “He’s a much better horse on much better ground than he faced today.
“He may go for the Newlands Chase at Naas next month but there are no definite plans.”
In a sad post-script, Native Scout broke a shoulder and had to be put down.
On the undercard the Bowe family completed a fine double with Sweet Kiln and You Sir while Ruby Walsh, fully recovered from Native Scout’s fatal fall, completed a double for Pat Fahy on board Washington Lad and Bluestone Lad.
Sweet Kiln recorded her second success over hurdles when getting better of a titanic battle with Carraig Blue in the opening Mulhuddart Novice Hurdle.
Typically, Sweet Kiln bowled along in front under Gary Hutchinson before being headed, four from home, by the runner-up. Hutchinson rallied the mare turning for home. A great duel developed from the second last and it was only in the last hundred yards that Carraig Blue (Mike Darcy) was collared by the Sweet Kiln. Disappointing favourite Our Ben was beaten a distance in third place.
Sweet Kiln will now be aimed at the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown (February 6) although Michael Bowe, who does most of the work with the family’s string admits she needs a trip in excess of its two and a quarter miles.
No definite plans are yet in place for You Sir following his shock win in the bumper, the second leg of a Bowe family double.
A Taipan gelding out of a full-sister to Limestone Lad, You Sir had shown little on his debut at Punchestown but, having edged ahead soon after halfway, he galloped on resolutely to give Alan Cash, brother of Brave Inca’s regular partner Barry, a first racecourse success three days before his 27th birthday.
“All he does is stay,” declared trainer Pat Fahy after Washington Lad had made all to beat Kill Devil Hill in the Kehoe Ceilings & Partitions Maiden Hurdle.
Backed into odds-on favouritism, Washington Lad was gaining his reward after a number of creditable efforts in bumpers and on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown. He is owned by the Garrafauns Syndicate from Dunmore, County Galway, all patrons of the White House pub.
Later, Bluestone Lad completed the Walsh/Fahy double, showing his liking for Fairyhouse. After beating Danse Macabre, Fahy explained, “This is the only place he has ever won.
“He has won twice here now and would have won the last day, if the last hurdle hadn’t been omitted.”
Jim Dreaper described the Robbie Colgan-ridden Christmas Crackle as “an intelligent horse” after he had shown the benefit of first-time blinkers in the Dunshaughlin Handicap Chase, taking advantage of the 18lb. he was receiving from gallant runner-up What Odds.
Another local trainer, Michael Cunningham, was on the mark in the Tattersalls-sponsored mares chase when Hookedonafeeling landed a tidy gamble (6/1-4/1) at the expense of Go On Eileen.
