Nickname lands massive morning-price gamble
Reportedly taken as high as 33-1 when the offices opened, he was plunged on at all rates down to a returned price of 5-1.
“He hadn’t run for eighteen months, but I was confident he would run a big race”, said Brassil.
Conor O’Dwyer had no doubts and sent the winner on the long burst for home with under a circuit to go.
Our Ben, heavily backed on track, tried hard to close from the third last, but could never get in any sort of blow.
Said O’Dwyer: “The horse and I enjoyed that, he was super.”
Commented Brassil: “He came to me about four months ago and is obviously very talented. This I would think is his ideal trip.
“We will step him up now and his next race will be the Arkle back here. He was fourth in the French Champion Hurdle and has to have soft ground.”
Grahams put him in at 16-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenhham, with Cashmans offering 14’s.
Our Ben lost little in defeat. His jumping was essentially solid and he will surely come on a bundle for his first outing of the campaign.
Firth Of Forth redeemed the promise of his second to Merdeka at Fairyhouse with a smooth success in the Bewleys’ Hotel Glasgow Maiden Hurdle.
Joe Crowley’s charge was always an odds-on chance, but justified the confidence with a clear-cut defeat of Geill Sli.
Tony McCoy, initiating a double, had him tracking the leaders for most of the journey before launching his challenge heading to the straight.
Firth Of Forth was in front turning in and McCoy didn’t have to be in any way hard on him to score by four and a half lengths.
“He’s learning, stays well and should get three miles”, reported Crowley. “He will probably go for a novice next and chasing will be his game next season.”
Celestial Wave, successful in a moderate maiden at Clonmel, stepped up in class to produce a fine performance to win the Listed Bewleys’ Hotel Dublin Airport EBF Mares Hurdle.
“Riding them was nothing compared to having to watch”, said a delighted Adrian Maguire, enjoying his first as a trainer at Leopardstown.
The daughter of Taipan completed a terrific week for Nina Carberry, bouncing away in front and proving far too strong in the closing stages for market-leader, Brogella.
“She was frightening me at home since Clonmel”, revealed Maguire.
“I think she’s a superstar and this means so much when you are starting off.”
Francis Flood’s Heez A Wonder was another bad result for the layers when scampering away with the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Kevin Coleman’s mount did well to score, considering he was far from foot perfect at the fourth last.
But he recovered well, swept on heading to the home turn and a superb leap at the final fence sealed the contest.
“Fences are making him think about the game”, said Flood. “His owners (Striding Snail Syndicate) enjoy their racing and are good losers as well as winners.”
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry have enjoyed a remarkable week, Harchibald notwithstanding, and they both took their total at the Festival to seven when Rocket Ship won the Bewleys’ Hotel Leeds Hurdle.
Nine went to post and this was surely a moderate event, when you note that a blanket could have been thrown over the first eight at the end.
A change of tactics were employed on the winner, he ran near the front, and he outfought Maxxium close home, the runner-up having, arguably, lost the race by getting in too close to the last.
“I did a stupid thing earlier in the season when running him too close together and that flattened him”, said Meade. “It was nice to see him battle and I will sit down now and decide where he might go next.”
Denis O’Regan, who rode Ease The Way in this contest, was found guilty of careless riding and suspended for five days.
Dancing Hero slogged his way to the front off the home turn to take the Bumper for Tom Foley and his daughter, Adrienne, and now heads for the Bumper at Cheltenham.
