Osterhase success puts Berry on top in jockeys’ title race
Making his seasonal debut, the John Mulhern-trained six-year-old broke smartly and dictated the pace and, to his credit, fought courageously to keep English challenger Turnkey at bay by a neck with favourite Russian Blue a never threatening third.
Osterhase was recording his eighth career success and his fourth in listed company and, better known for his exploits over the minimum trip, he was registering his first win over six furlongs since August 2002.
Winning trainer Mulhern was not present but his assistant Stephen McCarthy explained: “That’s amazing, we thought it was an ideal race to start him off but he is 25 kilos over his normal racing weight. Fran thinks that he’s better than ever and said that it was his class which got him through today.”
McCarthy outlined plans for the winner, starting with the Naas Sprint on June 6th before the five furlong sprint on the Budweiser Irish Derby day at the Curragh while his main objective will be the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August.
Dermot Weld is also considering a trip to York for Dream To Dress following her smooth success in the St. Margaret's Fillies Maiden.
Weld is considering running the filly in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting next month: “She’s a good big filly and I expect plenty of improvement from her. She’s potentially a stakes filly and I have races like the Ribblesdale in the back of my mind for her,” he said
Dream To Dress quickened into the lead in the style of a decent filly before beating Lady Sonic comfortably by three lengths.
Seamus Heffernan, out of luck on Aidan O’Brien’s Russian Blue earlier, enjoyed better fortune when winning the Swords Handicap on 20/1 shot Blessyourpinksox, trained by Peter Casey for veteran owner Basil Brindley.
Fresh from a victory in the afternoon action at Exeter, Tony McCoy made his trip to Fairyhouse worthwhile when Adarma, trained by Christy Roche for J.P. McManus, justified favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares Chase. Adarma was winning her fourth race of the season over fences and Frank Berry, racing manager to owner McManus indicated that she is now likely to have a summer break.
McCoy was expected to complete a double in the McManus colours when partnering 11/10 favourite Man About Town in the Ballyhack Beginners Chase. But, having made most of the running, the Tom Taaffe-trained favourite had to settle for the runner-up berth behind 16/1 shot Khairambar.
Ridden by Paddy Flood, Khairambar was having his first outing for 508 days and his win was a tribute to the skills of trainer Dessie Hughes who also owns the eight-year-old.
Hughes explained: “He had leg trouble but it’s great to have him back. I registered those colours nearly 20 years ago and this is the first winner that has carried them.”
Ruby Walsh, who rode four winners in England on Tuesday, made a winning return to home soil when guiding the Frances Crowley-trained favourite Daniel’s Hymn to victory in the Dunboyne Beginners Chase.
Trainer Crowley said: “With a rating of 109, he was entitled to win. His experience stood to him and because he likes good ground he’ll campaign through the summer.”
