Sixth sense prevails as Swan takes Flite on double
The jockeys involved were Barry Geraghty, Conor O’Dwyer, Paul Carberry, David Casey and Ruby Walsh, who intimated that the track was dangerous following persistent rain, having become slippery on the take-off and landing sides of the fences.
Punters who ploughed into Ballyhampshire Boy in the Pierse Contracting Ltd Hurdle were left licking their wounds when he fell at the third last.
Sean Aherne’s classy six-year-old slipped up on his seasonal debut at Tipperary, but was thumped in here from 1-2 to 2-7.
Barry Geraghty took him straight into the lead and the Husyan gelding was full of running approaching the home turn.
He made little effort, however, to get to the other side of that third last, guessing and paying the penalty.
Ballyhampshire Boy brought down Private Ben and badly hampered Take Flite, who was travelling well at the time.
Bellingham and Naahil were left in front, as Charlie Swan refused to give up the ghost on Take Flite.
Indeed, Tony Mullins’ gelding fought his way back into contention and there were three in a line rising to the final obstacle.
Bellingham soon cried enough and it was the gallant Take Flite who found the most on the level, beating Naahil a hard fought head.
Said Swan: “My horse was brought to a standstill, I don’t know how he won. I very nearly sat up on him.”
A delighted Mullins said: “He’s been an unlucky horse until now. He could go to Cheltenham for the Thomas Pink meeting or for a valuable contest at Down Royal. Races like the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown and the County Hurdle at Cheltenham are on the agenda.’’
Christy Roche’s Measure Of The Man, owned by J P McManus, easily won the Pierse Development (Cork ) Handicap Hurdle, initiating a 71-1 double for Swan. He was taken to the front by his pilot, who has a terrific record on this course, coming away from the third last and quickly stretched on from Beaufort Belle.
Commented McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry: “He disappointed in a bumper at Tralee, but hurdles switch him on and he will go for another race like this.’’
Clonmel’s Minella stayed on dourly through the rain-softened ground to take the Shearwater (Kinsale) Handicap ’Chase.
Frezenium landed in front four from home, but Clonmel’s Minella found plenty for Ruby Walsh under pressure, joined issue over the last and then forged clear on the flat.
Commented trainer, Michael Hourigan: “I was a little worried about the ground and the plan now is the Beecher ’Chase at Liverpool.’’
Pat Hughes’ Gemini Guest was backed from 3-1 to 2-1 favourite to land the Pierse Contracting INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle, but went down by three parts of a length to Le-Monde.
The winner made most of the running, but when he hit the second last it appeared certain Gemini Guest would master him. Le-Monde refused to wilt, however, under an excellent Mark Grant drive, and was always getting the best of the fight in the closing stages.
Park Leader was the best backed in the Pierse Group Handicap ’Chase and did the business, surviving two bad blunders on the far side of the track.
Paul Carberry gradually worked him into the contest, however, but he looked beaten at the last as Kilbyrne King appeared to be travelling the better. But Kilbyrne King, who landed marginally in front, buckled badly at the back of the fence and Park Leader was left to ease away.
