Galway Hurdle now looming large in Sabadilla’s itinerary
Black Church Lad and Coralpha took each other on for much of the final circuit, but turning in the winner was galloping all over the pair.
Verling soon challenged between horses and Sabadilla landed in front two out.
The Sadler’s Wells gelding was quickly in complete control, shooting away without having to be asked any sort of question.
Sabadilla scored well at Cork and Punchestown, as a prelude to disappointing at Killarney. Explained Verling: “The ground was soft at Killarney, it turned bottomless and that didn’t suit him.
“We said after he won at Cork that Galway was the plan and it is now looking as if it will be the Galway Hurdle.”
Michael O’Brien’s C’est Fantastique was best for money in the Mid-Western Lifts Mares Maiden Hurdle, 7-4 favourite from 9-4, but proved a very lucky winner.
Market rival, Slaney Fox, tried to make all and they were tactics destined to succeed turning for home.
The leader was a good three lengths to the good, and travelling by far the better, when crashing on landing over the second last.
C’est Fantastique was left in front and eased away to beat Mexican Miss.
Denis Cullen represented trainer-O’Brien and said: “She probably wants further. We don’t have her that long, but she is progressive.”
Ruby Walsh partnered C’est Fantastique and was expected to land a double aboard long odds-on shot Banasan in the Supermac’s Summer Hurdle.
But punters burnt their fingers big-time, as he totally failed to get to grips with front-running, King Carew, who won his maiden on this track at Christmas.
The winner set a strong gallop from the start and had the favourite in trouble a fair way out. From well before the straight, it was bar a fall for King Carew, giving Paul Hourigan a welcome turn.
Said his trainer-father, Michael: “He did it well, I suppose it’s horses for courses. He’s been a bit disappointing, but, at the same time, has now won four races.”
Hourigan senior completed a double with Achilles Spirit in the Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle, but derived little pleasure from it. His charge, superbly handled by Timmy Murohy, deprived Shane Broderick of his first success with We’rejustfriends.
The unfortunate Broderick and Hourigan, of course, teamed up for many memorable days with ill-fated Dorans Pride.
We’rejustfriends kicked coming away from the third last, but Murphy, typically, played his cards late and Achilles Spirit swept through heading to the final flight.
“I’m sorry for Shane, it’s a pity it had to be me that beat him”, commented Hourigan.
“If his horse had won, I would been more pleased.”
Andrew McNamara’s 20-year-old son, also Andrew, gave the John Murphy trained Really a superb ride to land the McMahon Excavations Race.
A B.Sc maths student at the University of Limerick, he powered Really to the front with two furlongs to run. Govamix threatened all the way to the line, but McNamara, enjoying a third success, kept the mare going in great style to score by half a length.
“She comes from a top American family, but has been very unlucky”, said Murphy. “She always seemed to find one too good for her.”
Mark Grant was seen to advantage on the Sean Treacy trained Il En Reve in the Dark Horse Pub Patrickswell Maiden Hurdle.
Il En Reve jumped on four out, but was tracked to the second last by Hehasalife, taken to 5’s from 7-1. Hehasalife wasn’t good at the flight, however, and could never quite get on terms with the winner on the flat.
Denis Cullen, fresh from a visit to the winner’s enclosure after the first, was on the mark in a different capacity when giving Montys Bank a strong drive to land the Bumper.
Cullen went for glory at the furlong pole and Montys Bank held on for dear life close home to beat Major Burns, the verdict a short head.
