Princess Symphony a possible for Aintree
Barry Geraghty tried to make all on hot favourite Be My Belle, but John Cullen had been playing a waiting game on Donal Whelan’s (New Ross), seven-year-old and when he pounced at the second last it was all over as Princess Symphony raced away to an impressive 14 lengths win.
"She may go for a novice chase over three miles at Aintree," commented Kilkenny trainer Eoin Sheehy.
Asked if she had any plans for the winner, Glenelly Gale, after he had won the listed Mellon Stud Environment Friend Handicap Chase Mrs Mary Moore, wife of trainer Arthur Moore, said with a smile: "That was the plan."
Conor O’Dwyer moved up to challenge the pacemaking Fiery Ring on Glenelly Gale, not been seen out since finishing third to Kadaran at Cheltenham in December, at the second last which he jumped marginally in front.
Fiery Ring fought back after jumping the last but could not regain the initiative and went under by a neck.
Davy Russell recorded his first double in Ireland since turning professional when successful on Dusseldorf and Sir Royco.
Dusseldorf, trained and bred by Austin Leahy and owned by the Toms Top Ten Syndicate from Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, wan an easy winner of the opening Murphy’s Brewery Maiden Hurdle, beating Seagull Eile more readily than the seven lengths she had to spare would suggest. "She will now go a flat race at Clonmel," said Leahy while Russell said: "She did it well".
Russell’s went clear climbing the hill on 8-1 chance Sir Royce in the Mullins Electrical Handicap Hurdle.
Alan O’Donoghue made a valiant effort to peg him back on Amandas Princess turning for home but Sir Royce had a comfortable two lengths to spare at the line.
The winner is trained by Daniel O’Connell in Bansha, Co. Tipperary for the Hannigan’s Bar Syndicate from Cashel.
"He ran well in his two handicaps and needed the trip. I put the blinkers on today to make him concentrate," commented O’Connell after the winner had given the syndicate their first success.
Norman Williamson timed his challenge to perfection on the Tom Taaffe trained 4-5 favourite, Solar System, in the Limerick Easter Homes and Garden Exhibition Maiden Hurdle.
Always in the leading group, the six-year-old moved into second behind Watershed at the fourth last and took over after jumping the second last to score by four lengths, despite making a mistake at the final flight.
"He deserved to win and this is the end of the season for him. He has the makings of chaser and will go over fences next season," said Taaffe.
There was an exciting finish to the concluding Ladbrokes Handicap Chase when Knock Knock, owned by David Magnier of Fermoy, Co. Cork and trained by David Wachman, got the better of a sustained battle with Grange Leader.
There was little between the pair at the last but the winner jumped the fence the better and asserted on the flat to eventually came out on top by a length and a half.
"I will try and find a similar race for him, probably at Fairyhouse,” said Wachman.
