Geraghty set to team up with Back In Front
Back In Front’s trainer, Edward O’Grady, has nominated that particular contest as the next target for his Champion Hurdle aspirant, who was well beaten on his seasonal debut at Tipperary by Intersky Falcon.
The horse’s regular partner, Norman Williamson, of course, recently announced his retirement.
O’Grady was on the mark at Thurles yesterday when heavily backed Ride The Storm easily won the Thurles Handicap ’Chase.
Taken from 5-2 to 6-4, and partnered by Geraghty, his 59th of the campaign, Ride The Storm led over the fourth from home and clearly had the measure of the challenging Whatsgoingonbob when that one blundered and unseated his pilot at the last.
“I’m very pleased,” said O’Grady. “For a novice having his first run in a handicap he jumped well.”
Shay Barry, who has been in terrific form of late, gave Caishill a dashing drive to land the Killinan Beginners ’Chase.
The four-year-old made just about all the running and turned in about five lengths to the good over well-supported market leader, The Dark Flasher.
Caishill still held the call at the final fence, by a greatly reduced margin, but The Dark Flasher, not for the first time, didn’t find as much as he threatened and there was a length and a half between them at the line.
“Shay gave him a positive ride, he made his mind up,” said trainer, Joe Crowley. “The horse is nothing out of the ordinary and will now mix it over fences and hurdles.’
Paul Nolan’s Kymandjen, backed from 5-2 to 2-1 favourite, didn’t disappoint in the Irish Stallion Farms’ Beginners ’Chase.
He produced a fine exhibition of jumping and front-running for John Cullen and seemed to have a lot more in the tank than the final margin of two lengths over Craigmor Hero might suggest.
“He’s a highly strung animal, but behaved well today,” reported Nolan. “If he keeps jumping like that will be alright and will be better on soft ground.”
Tramore bumper winner Deauville proved too strong for market leader, Native Churchtown, in the Toboradora Maiden Hurdle.
Native Churchtown looked sure to score when striking the front over the second last and was soon a couple of lengths to the good. But Deauville and Adrian Lane quickly flashed up to throw down the gauntlet and the winner was always getting the best of the battle on the level.
Said trainer, Michael Halford: “I thought he’d run well, but didn’t think he would be good enough. He will go novice hurdling now.”
Thomond O’Mara’s Master’s Melody made a successful debut over jumps in the Templemore Maiden Hurdle.
Willie Slattery brought the son of Foxhound with a smooth effort to lead between the final two flights to beat Lorenzetti a comfortable length and a half.
“It wasn’t world’s greatest race, but he’s won,” remarked O’Mara realistically.
In-form Baltray Queen enjoyed her first ever success over flights when Danny Howard guided her to win the Devil’s Bit Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Baltray Queen travelled sweetly throughout, easing into the lead shortly after the penultimate obstacle.
She was soon attacked by Padre Nostro and Little Ora, but held on for dear life close home to score by a neck and the same.
“Two miles and two was stretching her a bit and she idles in front as well. Maybe, she’ll scrape another one now,” said trainer Harry Rogers.
Mark Grant, out of luck earlier on Native Churchtown, redressed the balance when piloting Thatsharib to land the Holycross Handicap Hurdle.
In truth this was a moderate contest, but Thatsharib did his job well enough, mastering the flattering An Culainn Beag coming away from the last.
He is the first horse 87-year-old Ossie Bennett has owned. Bennett, a well-known masseur, is a former trainer of the Tipperary senior hurling team.
