Hokey battles gamely to see–off market rival
The J P McManus owned winner was taken from 5-4 to 4-5, but it took the considerable talents of streetwise Conor O’Dwyer to see him last home by a length.
Outsider, Billy The Snail, kept Oh Be The Hokey company for much of the journey up front, but O’Dwyer had enough of that heading to the final turn and eased his charge ahead.
Jouer d’Estruval was soon in hot pursuit, but O’Dwyer had saved a little and Oh Be The Hokey did the rest.
Said O’Dwyer: “He stuck it out and jumped well, I was pleased with him.”
Commented Swan: “The plan is to head for one of the minor races at Cheltenham, something like the Mildmay of Flete.
“We will see what comes up next, but he will certainly have a run over fences before the Festival.”
Spring The Que, trained by Robert Tyner for the 40-member Gaelforce Racing, landed a little touch in the first division of the Ballyclough Maiden Hurdle.
Backed from 10-1 to 13-2, he strode home eight lengths clear of uneasy odds-on favourite, Dantys Hampshire.
The seven-year-old had been suspended for 42 days by the stewards, following his seventh behind Baily Breeze at Cork on November 21.
“The holiday did him good, he seemed to come on well for it”, said Tyner. In The East held a long lead for most of the trip, but John Allen produced Spring The Que with impeccable timing to power ahead between the final two flights.
Kefaaf, who had a lot to find with odds-on favourite Ardyne Bridge on previous running at Thurles, completely reversed placings in the first division of the same contest.
Ardyne Bridge led four from home and the eventual winner was the only possible danger approaching the straight.
It was soon clear, however, that Kefaaf was travelling by far the stronger and he eased ahead for Willie Slattery going to the second last.
A handicap hurdle at Gowran Park on Thyestes day is likely to be next for the Lion Cavern gelding.
Dusty Sheehy’s horses continue in terrific form and his Paddys Girl turned in a game performance to take the first division of the McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle.
She scored by a head at the recent Limerick Festival, but seemed to have plenty to do here, under a 6lbs penalty.
But she made light if it, under the capable Michael Darcy. Paddys Girl skipped on heading to the second last and found plenty for pressure to beat the running-on Longueville Quest by two lengths.
The second division saw Castletownroche, Co Cork, trainer Marie Harding, who has 18 horses in her care, enjoy a first success with Chicamala.
The Be My Native mare swept ahead before the last flight to beat the unlucky Glenbane Lady, who was launching her challenge when blundering two out.
Winning rider, John Sullivan (22) comes from Kildare and this was his fifth winner.
Paul Carberry missed a winning ride - he forfeited two earlier possibilities as well - aboard Sea Skate in the Kanturk Maiden Hurdle.
Carberry suffered a fall when riding out at home in the morning. He hurt his elbow, but expects to be back in action at Thurles on Thursday.
Sea Skate did her job nicely, with Mark Walsh a more than able replacement. Dick Donohoe’s mare led before the penultimate flight to beat Golden Triangle and the flattering Shouette.
Trainer, John Murphy, who had endured a largely frustrating afternoon, ended on an upbeat note when Etched In Stone took the Bumper.
The Roselier gelding had previously finished a creditable fifth behind the highly-rated Manners at Cheltenham in November.
“He would have done better if I hadn’t given the jockey (Robert Thornton) the wrong instructions”, pointed out Murphy. “I told him to switch the horse off.”
There was no mistake on this occasion as Etched In Stone made all, streaking clear up the straight to beat market leader, Ray Boy, and well-touted newcomer, Professor Hegarty.
It was an eighth winner for pilot, Ruaidhri Tierney, who doubles as a jockeys’ agent and has ten riders on his books.
