Bluebell Line’s late surge gains the day
Tom Queally gave the daughter of Charnwood Forest a tremendous drive. She was a poor seventh approaching the home turn and still had plenty to do in fourth a hundred yards out. But Queally got a real tune from the mare and she finished with a terrific flourish.
Bluebell Line is owned by Alan Lillingston, who won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 1963 aboard the one-eyed Winning Fair.
Said Leahy: “Ballinrobe next week is next, if I can persuade the owner, that’s if she’s not balloted out.”
There was a sting in the tail, however, for Queally who was suspended for three days, having been found guilty of using his whip with excessive force and frequency.
Leahy also supplied the 2-1 favourite, Dusseldorf. She was produced by Helen Keohane to hold every chance, but could not raise her tempo from the furlong pole.
Patrizio battled on gamely for Norman Williamson to land the Ellickson Engineering Ltd Novice Hurdle.
Trainer, Eoin Griffin, feared that the bountiful rain which fell during the evening, would be the undoing of his charge. But Patrizio showed plenty of courage to get the better of trail-blazing Super Run on the surge to the final flight.
“He’s a much better horse this season, we used to have trouble keeping condition on him”, reported Griffin.
Willie John Daly, taken from 2-1 to 11-8, was pushed along from the third last and was beaten before the turn in.
Paul Nolan’s Cloone River, absent since contesting a hurdle race at Fairyhouse in November, was easily the best backed horse in the Clonmel Maiden.
Taken from 5-1 to 11-4 favourite, he duly did the business, under a confident Fran Berry drive.
Berry waited until into the straight before asking for an effort and well over a furlong down Cloone River cruised past long time leader, Ciara’s Delight.
“He’s a lovely horse, but I didn’t think he was fit enough”, remarked Nolan.
“Hopefully, this will be the build-up to something bigger during the summer.”
Key To The Kingdom made a brave attempt from the front, in the Cahir Handicap, but ultimately had to give best to the Tom Hogan trained 14-1 shot, Animal Lover.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer was given a strong drive by Wayne Lordan, powering through in the last furlong to head the leader. “She’s hard to settle and he gave her a peach of a ride”, remarked well-pleased trainer-Hogan.
Cecil Ross’ 11-year-old, Western View, can still go a bit and proved far too good for his rivals in the Barbeque Evening Handicap Chase. He travelled sweetly throughout for Barry Cash, eased ahead off the home turn and quickly went eight lengths clear of City Hall.
Favourite, Native Performance, was never travelling and was beaten a long way out.
Keith Hadnett added to his growing repuation when giving top weight, Baron Aron, a powerful drive to take the David Flynn Ltd Handicap Hurdle. The winner and the Ruby Walsh partnered Flower Hunter had a real set-to from the second last, which finally went in favour of Baron Aron by the narrowest of margins.
Walsh quickly gained compensation when partnering his father, Ted’s, True Blue Victory to success in the Industrial Logistics Ltd Beginners Chase.
Slowly away, True Blue Victory came from off the pace to join issue with Canary Tan and Pillar Rock going to the final fence. Pillar Rock fell here and True Blue Victory stretched away on the level. “He might go for a conditions chase next”, said Walsh senior.
Pat Budds’ Special Case came with a steady late burst, under an excellent ride from Paul Tobin, to land the Bumper.
