Coolnahilla benefits from Compo’s final fence departure
Liam Burke's consistent nine-year-old went off a 7/1 chance for the Listed contest but was under pressure in second place coming to the final fence where Compo departed when holding a useful advantage. This left the grey with a clear lead, which he maintained to defeat Colonel Monroe by seven lengths.
“If ever a horse deserved a bit of luck it was him. Two and a half miles around here is a bit sharp for him and we probably ran him back too quickly at Cork last time. There's a good race to be won with him and he could go for either the Leopardstown or Thyestes Chase next,” commented the winning trainer.
O'Connor then captured the beginners chase on the Pat Doyle-trained Randwick Roar. The 5/2 favourite came clear early in the straight and, at the line, had three and a half lengths to spare over the 33/1 outsider Yankee Lucy.
Edward O'Grady and Paddy Flood were among the winners once again as Patsy Bee, who carries the same colours as the high class hurdler Sacundai, made a winning debut in the Guinness Christmas Hurdle. The 12/1 chance grabbed the odds on favourite, Drunken Disorderly, between the final two flights and held on to score by a length and a half.
“The owners (Malm Syndicate) are a very lucky syndicate. The main reason the horse ran here was that he kept getting balloted out of maiden hurdles. He showed much more here than he has done at home,” said O'Grady.
Ossetian Prince's victory in the two mile handicap hurdle provided Cork handler Mary Hallahan with her first ever racecourse success.
Ridden by Robbie McNally, the 4/1 market leader proved half a length too strong for Golden Domer.
Having seen Compo suffer an unlucky defeat in the feature event, Eric McNamara enjoyed better luck in the 74-102 handicap hurdle where Gold Flo prevailed under Brian Byrnes.
“I'm delighted for his owner Sean Curran. He is one of my favourite patrons and I'm delighted to have a winner for him at his local track,” reflected McNamara.
There was further local success in the bumper when Gerry O'Neill sent out Lodge Princess to justify 2/1 favouritism under Robert McNamara, whose brother Andrew enjoyed further big race success on Hi Cloy at Leopardstown earlier in the afternoon.
Elsewhere Willie Mullins and David Condon teamed up to take the opening maiden hurdle with Quel Doun, who defeated Advanced Flyer by nine lengths.
