Game Inexorable upholds family tradition
Grant completed his brace aboard David Wachman’s Inexorable in the featured Grade 3 Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle. A half-brother to the mighty Best Mate, Inexorable went for home with five flights remaining.
Moscow Court was the eventual winner’s closest pursuer from three out. However Inexorable, which is owned by Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, readily responded to Grant’s urgings to triumph by a neck from Moscow Court.
“It’s only now that the penny has dropped with him,” remarked Wachman. Chasing will be his game and we won’t crucify him over hurdles.”
Grant had earlier steered the Edward O’Grady-trained Ride The Storm to a clearcut success in the Woodlands House Hotel Handicap Chase.
Ride The Storm struck the front on the descent to two out and was well in command when That’s The Story, who was lying in second place at the time, sustained a crashing fall at this penultimate obstacle. Sporting the colours of local Limerick owner Nelius Hayes, Ride The Storm ultimately dispensed with the never-dangerous Berkley by thirteen lengths.
Gary Hutchinson meanwhile initiated his two-timer by landing the opening Racing Focus Club 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle with Roxbury. However, Roxbury’s supporters certainly had to sweat as the market leader appeared beaten when Rookwith edged-on with two flights remaining.
Roxbury though came back with a renewed effort to lead on the run to the final flight and Billy Queally’s filly held-on to score by a length from Mama Jaffa.
“I thought that she may not have been suited by the soft ground,” said Roxbury’s trainer David Kiely. “She will go for a handicap next.”
Hutchinson later made practically all of the running on ex-pointer D’ygrande in the European Breeders Fund Tattersalls (IRE) Mares Beginners Chase, the pair easing clear from two out to beat favourite Reuben Jane.
The blinkered D’ygrande is trained under permit by Macroom-domiciled Gerry Kelleher.
He reported: “She will probably go for the Tatteralls mares final at Uttoxeter in March”
Amateur Colman Sweeney, who turns 21 today, partnered his fourth ‘park’ winner aboard the Liam Burke-trained Nolans Pride in the Shannon Rovers G.A.A. Maiden Hurdle.
Nolans Pride had to be ridden along before three out, but she readily accelerated to the fore on the flat to account for Brendar by a length.
Nolans Pride won a bumper at Thurles in the spring and is owned by Roscarberry publican Denis Nolan.
The Malachy Ryan-trained Boolavogue Leader emerged best in a ding-dong tussle to the Falks Lighting Handicap Hurdle. Partnered by Tommy Treacy, Boolavogue Leader led over the final flight, but the six-year-old was all out in the closing stages to contain favourite An Culainn Beag, a head eventually separating the pair. Boolavogue Leader was providing ex-St Patricks’ Athletic footballer John McGeehan with an initial success as an owner.
Clare Lambert (27) , who would perhaps be better known in three-day eventing circles, piloted her first winner aboard her sister Anne Lambert’s Present Abbey in the Irwin Bros Jewellers Ladies Flat Race. Present Abbey came through to strike the front inside the final furlong and at the post, the former victorious ‘pointer’ had two lengths to spare over Gallant Tim.
