Joy for Murphy as Newmill powers home
Newmill has always had the class to produce a display like this and has been nursed back to his best by the Upton, Co Cork handler.
Little went right for the eight-year-old last season, but two excellent efforts over flights of late left him spot on for this test.
He was given a brilliant drive by Robert Power, who hunted Newmill around at the back for much of the journey. Strong Project, who made a couple of blunders, and Mossy Green dominated at the front, but Newmill had the pair very much in his sights from early on the final circuit.
Mossy Green edged ahead off the home turn, but a slight error two out wasn't a help. Newmill was alongside by now and found plenty for Power pressure to forge into the lead before the last and he went nicely clear on the flat.
Said Murphy: “He's a horse who goes best fresh and we might run him now in the two mile Champion 'Chase at Cheltenham. He travelled and settled great and got a great ride. I was a bit worried about jumping fences, but he was brilliant.
“He will probably stay chasing now, you are always going to be the bridesmaid over hurdles against the likes of Brave Inca.”
Boylesports slashed Newmill from 100-1 to 33-1 for the Champion 'Chase, with Cashmans introducing him 66-1.
Hi Cloy, fresh from two Grade One victories, ran no sort of race and was beaten coming away from five out.
Power was on the mark later in the day when his strength was the decisive factor in Court Leader's narrrow defeat of Carrigeen Keria in the Coolmore Westerner EBF Mares Novice 'Chase. Carrigeeen Keria, who is a superb jumper, was in front four out, but was worried out of it close home by the winner.
“It was a competitive race, but I was confident enough. The owners may want her to go to Cheltenham”', said trainer, Tom Mullins
“I've waited thirty years for this fellow”, said Liam Burke, after his Thyne Again had put up an impressive performance to win the INH Stallion Owners' EBF Novice Hurdle.
Confidently handled by Davy Russell, the strapping son of Good Thyne swept ahead going to the second last to easily beat The Roney Man.
“He is a nice horse who has boot and stays'', commented Burke. “I will give him a little break now and fences will be his game. He won't go to Cheltenham, it will be Fairyhouse and Punchestown for him. He could go to Cheltenham as a 'chaser.''
Russell completed a double when Campanella easily took the Gain Horse Feeds Hurdle, Parliament Square being an absentee because of a respiratory infection.
Uneasy favourite Augherskea looked the likely winner for much of the trip, but appeared decidely unenthusiastic in the straight.
Campanella was soon in charge, beating the dead-heaters Augherskea and eye-catching Gaza Strip, who finished like the proverbial train, from a less than promising position.
Conor O'Dwyer, who partnered Gaza Strip, reported to the stewards that the horse was outpaced in the back straight and then stayed on well late past tiring horses!
Climate Control will be Camolin, Co Wexford trainer John Paul Brennan's first runner at Cheltenham.
The Montelimar gelding and Colin Motherway got the best of a terrific tussle with Ballistraw in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters 'Chase.
“It will be Leopardstwon next and then the Christies Foxhunters at Cheltenham'', said Brennan. “You will see a better horse at Cheltenham, when he gets a bit of sun on his back.”'
George Kent, who trains five horses at Tramore, enjoyed another success when Bally Scanlon took the D and S Tarmac Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Pat Crowley.
It was a moderate enough contest, but the winner did his job in good style, edging ahead between the last two flights.
“He seems to like going right-handed”', reported Kent. “We have nothing in mind and will take him home and see how he is.”'
Tom Taaffe's Gotno Destination went off favourite, 7-4 from 9-4, but performed poorly, struggling home in seventh place.
Nina Carberry continued her extraordinary run when guiding Dusty Sheehy's Holly Tree to an easy win in the Bumper.
