Ballytrim strengthens Mullins’ hand in Bumper
The son of Luso has been well touted in recent weeks but, at the same time, few could have been prepared for such an impressive demolition job.
Katie Walsh took Ballytrim into the lead from the start and he galloped relentlessly to beat Corbetstown Duck by a whopping 25 lengths.
Bookmakers quickly slashed his price for the Weatherbys’ Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park and both Grahams and Cashmans tightened him to 7-1 from 10’s.
Cashmans offer the Mullins yard at 2-1 to win that particular contest.
Said the clearly delighted trainer: “His performance there is much better than anything he has ever shown at home. I love horses like that and he is obviously far better on grass than the all-weather.”
Ken Whelan and Island Pride are developing into a cracking combination and the duo teamed up successfully for the fourth time when John Joe Walsh’s progressive nine-year-old easily landed the Rock Of Cashel Handicap Chase.
Running off a career-high mark, Island Pride made light of that, surviving errors at the seventh last and four out.
But he was always carrying far too many guns for these, shooting clear early in the straight to beat always prominent Over The First by an easy five lengths.
Commented Walsh: “He’s a good horse and will run next in another handicap. I will wait a couple of weeks, but he’s entitled now to go for a nice prize.”
Kings Wilde, carrying the colours of Pat McDonnell from Riverstick, Co Cork, ran his rivals ragged in the Ballynonty Maiden Hurdle.
Martin Ferris replaced Barry Geraghty in the plate, the latter having been shaken after taking a fall at Down Royal on Wednesday.
He proved an able substitute, making all the running on Kings Wilde, who streaked clear from the third last to score by seven lengths.
“He’s a horse who can be a bit free, but is settling better and will probably run in a novice hurdle now”, reported trainer John Murphy, who indicated that stable star Newmill heads directly to Cheltenham for the two mile Champion Chase.
Geraghty is expected to be back in action tomorrow and has been booked for John Qeally’s top weight Al Ele in the totesport Gold Trophy at Newbury should the meeting beat the weather.
Pierce Gallagher (22), from Castletownroche, Co Cork, who rode 13 winners on the flat in England, having spent four years with Richard Hannon, enjoyed his first success over jumps on Rathkenny in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Liam O’Brien, successful recently with Chetwind Music at Navan, Rathkenny was produced with impeccable timing by his pilot to grab the lead at the last and beat Carmens Boy.
“He’s a good horseman”, remarked O’Brien of his rider. “My horses have been plagued by the virus and are only starting to fire.”
Nadine Forde (24), rode her fourth winner on the track when taking the Tipperary Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Liam Burke’s Southern Command. Tipper Road looked sure to score for most of the straight, but Southern Command powered through late to lead in the dying strides.
“She gave him a great ride, she took her time”, said Burke.
Three horses departed the scene at the fourth with Pauline Ryan, who partnered Fataliste, coming off worst. She was unconscious and severely concussed, but regained consciousness on the way to Cashel Hospital. Ryan was stood down for a minimum of 21 days.
The hitherto frustrating Laoch Dubh got it together under a dashing Denis O’Regan drive to take the first division of the Irish Stallion Farms’ Beginners Chase. He usually finds the later stages of his races hard work, but stuck it out well for O’Regan to resist the challenge of Wills Wilde over the last three fences.
Kadiskar was always odds-on in the ring, but ran no sort of race. He was out of contention when parting company with Alan Crowe at the second last. Kadiskar was subsequently found to be clinically abnormal.
Augherskea, another frustrating sort, outclassed his opponents in the first division of the Devil’s Bit Beginners Chase.
He jumped and travelled really well for Paul Carberry, cruising ahead between the final two fences to score with plenty in hand.
Augherskea made no show first time up over fences in the Grade One Arkle at Leopardstown, but found this much more to his liking.
Said trainer, Noel Meade: “We were going to keep him a novice until next season, but I was disappointed in the Arkle. He will probably go to Navan for the Ten Up Chase at Navan on Sunday week.”
Roger Loughran rode his second winner as a professional, the first was on Central House at Punchestown on Sunday, when Giolla An Bhaird got the best of the battle in the closing stages with Code Of Silence in the second division of the same contest.
The grey gave Michael Fitzsimons, who is based at Dunderry, Co Meath, his first success on the racecourse.
