Geraghty gets it right on Rathgar Beau
A superb leap three out saw Barry Geraghty’s mount land in front and Rathgar Beau turned for home coasting in the lead. At the last it was only a matter of the winning distance, but he guessed at the obstacle and it took all of Geraghty’s considerable skill to maintain the partnership. “We were going to meet it long, but he put down at the last second,” reported a relieved Geraghty.
Said trainer, Eamonn Sheehy: “He was entitled to do that on his last two runs. There’s a winners of two at Naas on Sunday week and he will probably go there. The main aim is Aintree and a two mile novice ’chase, as long as the ground isn’t too fast.”
Sheehy is looking forward to his first Cheltenham Festival challenger, with the useful Kahuna. He will run in the Champion Bumper and Charlie Swan has been booked to ride. His other star, Satco Express, very impressive last time at Gowran Park, is on the easy-list, though. He suffered an infection to a hind leg and is out for the rest of the season.
“Everything is fine with him now, but he is too good a horse to be risked,” said Sheehy.
Glenhaven Nugget, absent for almost three months, stripped fit and well to take the Ballynonty Novice Hurdle.
He was a drifter in the market, as the money came for Wokodys Deep Ocean from 2-1 to 5-4. But the favourite, subsequently found to be suffering a nasal discharge, never threatened to take a hand, while Glenhaven Nugget was cantering at all stages. Norman Williamson allowed him edge on coming away from the second last and Edward O’Grady’s charge was always in control, despite fiddling the final flight.
Said O’Grady: “He’s come back from a break and appreciated the better ground. Hopefully, he will be a spring horse for Aintree and Fairyhouse.”
Garrett Cotter is riding like a man inspired and he was excellent aboard Dishy in the Tattersalls Ireland EBF Mares Beginners ’Chase.
Tarqogan Thyne, the medium of some fair wagers in the ring, stalked the front running winner through the final circuit and the pair had a real set-to up the straight. Neither was done any favours by a loose horse, but coming away from the last it was Tarqogan Thyne who grabbed a narrow advantage. But Cotter rode a powerful finish to force Dishy back into the lead close home.
The Cahir Handicap Hurdle saw Francis Flood’s Blame The Ref, ridden by his son, Fran, streak to an 11 lengths success. The son of Aahsaylad led turning for home and soon stretched clear to beat favourite Christysconcerto, who came under pressure a fair way out.
Commented Flood senior: “It is nice to get a win out of him. He goes over fences next, jumps well and has been around a few tracks.”
Fermoy trainer, Liam O’Brien, saddled his third winner, having taken out a licence a year earlier, when Rathkenny landed the Fethard Handicap Hurdle.
Confidently handled by John Cullen, Rathkenny made the long run for home heading to the third last. Native Guide ranged up as a big danger in the straight, but Cullen had saved plenty and Rathkenny was always getting the best of the fight on the level. O’Brien, who has seven horses in his care, said: “He is just coming to himself and the better ground was a help.”
The Paul Roche trained Native Ride left a minor bout of seconditis behind with an easy victory in the Cashel Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Partnered by the polished Keith Hadnett, Native Ride powered ahead before the second last to beat Criaire Princess by six lengths. Trainer-Roche was represented by his father, John, who said: “He will go for another little hurdle and be sent ’chasing in time.”
Celestial Light, in front with half a mile to go, had no answer to the smooth effort of Mariah Rollins inside the final furlong of the Mares Bumper.
