Deja vu as Oh So Lively follows up last year’s win
He gave a terrific exhibition of jumping for Barry Geraghty and found plenty when threatend by Chevaux Loco in the closing stages.
Geraghty allowed Edward O'Grady's seven-year-old gelding stride on with more than circuit to go. Chevaux Loco tried to close all the way up the straight, but Oh So Lively was much the better at the last and that was decisive.
“He will take his chance in the Kerry National (Listowel), if he gets into the race”, reported O'Grady.
The Tipperary handler was almost certainly deprived of a double with the fall of Monjoyau in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Novice Chase.
The blinkered five-year-old set off to make all the running and still held a healthy advantage going to the third last.
But he crashed out at the obstacle, leaving Khairambar and Paul Carberry in for a bloodless win.
“I'd rather be in Croke Park, but what can you do”, quipped former Kilkenny hurler, Kieran Purcell, after his Fergus Vale had defied top weight in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
This big, strapping sort was taken to the front coming away from the third last by John Allen and then survived untidy leaps at the final two flights to beat Albarino by half a length.
Said Purcell: “He's a real chaser in the making and anything over hurdles is a bonus. He will have one more run over flights and then it will be fences.”
Willie The Shoe, carrying the Dorans Pride colours of Tom Doran, stayed on strongly to take the Altenative Cater Hire Handicap Hurdle by six lengths.
Stitch Pockets, in front six out, still held the call for much of the straight, but had nothing left when Robert Power swept the winner past on the approach to the final flight.
“His next run will on a right-handed track, which is flat and has goodish ground”, said trainer, Jessica Harrington. “He cannot perform left-handed.”
Harringtown was on the mark as well with Bunmahon in the Fleming Construction Maiden Hurdle.
It wasn't the most competitive of contests, but Bunmahon was impressive enough, cruising ahead two out to score with plenty in hand.
A winners' of one over two miles will be next, according to the trainer. Bunmahon was partnered by Barry Geraghty, who scored earlier on Oh So Lively.
Robert Power, successful on Willie The Shoe, completed a double aboard the Ken Condon trained Domnul Admiral in the Newmarket Motors Beginners Chase.
The seven-year-old had been struggling for a bit for form over hurdles and on the level, but had his interest revitalised at this game.
Power produced him to lead at the third from home and Domnul Admiral coasted away to beat Laragh House.
Noel Meade's Top Ben went off a heavily-backed favourite and jumped well in front. But he found nothing in the straight and was quickly beaten.
Mill House Girl, who went in at the first time of asking at Gowran Park, made it two from two in the Bumper.
Shane Donohoe's mare shot ahead under two furlongs down to give pilot, Andrew Duff, a seventh success on the track.
