In-form Tarn Ridge likely to be added to Nolan’s Galway team
After saddling Tarn Ridge to defy top weight, trainer Paul Nolan confirmed that both Accordion Etoile and last year’s winner Cloone River will represent him in the big race on Thursday and explained that Moran will claim a 7lb off the top weight.
Tarn Ridge, which took command three fences from home in yesterday’s race, defied a 6lb penalty picked up at Ballinrobe last Tuesday and is likely to reappear at Galway later this week.
Also bound for Ballybrit is Curfew Tolls following his return to form for trainer Henry De Bromhead in the Talbot Hotel Handicap Chase.
The winning trainer admitted that he was not surprised by the victory of this injury prone nine-year-old which edged ahead four fences from home before drawing clear between the last two fences, commenting: “This horse has loads of ability but has been unlucky with injuries and this was not a surprise. If he’s OK he’ll take his chance in the Galway Blazers on Saturday.”
It was a day to remember for James Sheehy, 18-year-old brother of trainer Eamonn who recorded his first racecourse success when Prince Linamix ran out a convincing winner of the Barrow Handicap Hurdle.
It was fitting that the teenager’s breakthrough win was provided by a horse trained by his brother and the 7lb claimer made his move at the third last flight before the six-year-old drew clear for a comprehensive nine lengths win.
Trainer Tom Taaffe plans sending Limerick Lord over fences in the coming weeks after the eight-year-old overcame an absence from the track of almost two years in the opening Saltees Maiden Hurdle.
Barry Gerrity sent Taaffe’s charge ahead with three hurdles to jump for a convincing win which rewarded trainer Taaffe for his patience with the gelding which has overcome a succession of setbacks.
A last fence fall by Right Jack increased the victory margin of She’s Chancy, which landed a minor gamble in the Talbot Hotel Beginners Chase. The Sean Aherne-trained mare was in control when her nearest rival crashed, allowing Davy Condon to coast home on the winner and reward those who backed her from 16/1 to 10/1.
Valixir was the highlight of a sparkling Group-race treble for Christophe Soumillon at Maisons-Laffitte yesterday.
The Aga Khan’s colt followed up his Queen Anne Stakes victory at Royal Ascot at York with a smooth success in the Prix Messidor as the Belgian-born rider cleaned up the big prizes, also scoring on New Girlfriend and Archange d’Or.
Soumillon always had Valixir up with the pace on the outside, and when he asked the Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old for an effort around two furlongs out the response from the odds-on shot was immediate.
The son of Trempolino quickly stamped his authority on the Group Three contest in great style. Although he drifted towards the stands rails in the closing stages, Valixir was not hard pressed to hold the fast-finishing Special Kaldoun by a length.
