Sabadilla cheer for Verling
Verling, who was severely cautioned by the stewards for what he himself described as “argy-bargy”, was enjoying easily his biggest succces as both trainer and rider.
“I took my time early on,” said Verling. “I got a great run towards the outside before the last and then switched inside.
“He likes passing horses and this is great, thanks be to God.”
Christy Roche’s Grimes carried them along for much of the journey with stable companion, Puck Out, the medium of a big gmable, content to track the leaders in fourth place.
Heading down into the dip, running to the second last, however, it was Crimson Flower who swept on, as Puck Out began to struggle.
Crimson Flower still held the call approaching the final flight, but it was a smooth-moving Cloone River who landed in front.
Verling now had Sabadilla, who carried the colours of Cork city businessman, Billy Coleman, in full flow.
Momentarily, he found it difficult to get a run. But, quick as a flash, he switched to the outside of Cloone Rive and Sabadilla did the rest, powering ahead to score cosily in the end by three parts of a length.
“After he won his first handicap at Cork (April 29), I said we would aim at Galway,” commented Verling. “I never lost faith in the horse.
“I might give him a run on the flat, but he will definitely go ’chasing this coming season.”
Verling, 36, is only in his second full campaign training. You would probably regard him as being in the veteran class of riders at this stage, but he has no notion of quitting to concentrate on training.
“I hope this win will keep me going for another few years, “he quipped.
Norman Williamson gave Golden Row a copybook drive to beat Say Again in the Carlsberg Lager Novice ’Chase.
Williamson held on to his charge until after the final fence and then began his challenge to Say Again, who headed the trail-blazing Loan Man at the obstacle.
Before long, however, it was a one-horse race. Williamson let out an inch of rein and Golden Row surged clear.
“He’s as good a jumper, as a novice, as I have ever trained,” commented Edward O’Grady.
“We came here hopeful, but worried about the ground and the hill. He will stay two mile ’chasing and could be an Arkle horse. I wouldn’t mind either taking him to Cheltenham for that November meeting.”
Williamson was also on target aboard the very impressive Patrizio, who shrugged off top weight with the minimum of fuss in the St James’ Gate Novice Hurdle.
The progressive five-year-old appeared to have a lot on at the weights, but completed a superb four-timer with real aplomb.
Hehasalife made the running, but Patrizio simply coasted past off the home turn and then eased clear to beat Five Alive O by no less than 14 lengths.
Eoin Griffin, who has done a tremendous job with his charge, said: “He’s improved out of all recognition since we stepped him up to two and a half and he’ll be even better over three. I have nothing planned for him, he will keep going and we’ll take it day by day.”
The Michael O’Brien trained Banasan made a spectacular debut over fences when taking the Guinness Beginners ’Chase by 11 lengths.
He was always travelling sweetly for Ruby Walsh and had no trouble mastering the front- running Ballyconnell heading to the home turn.
“He’s a fast ground horse and it is great to see him handling that,” said O’Brien. “He will run in a few novice races and, hopefully, will be back here for the Plate next year.”
Kevin Prendergast trained his fourth winner of the week when Miss Trish defied top weight in the Guinness Handicap.
Partnered by Brian Hughes, Miss Trish coasted past the flattering Sea Skate inside the final furlong.
Seamus Heffernan enjoyed his first success of the week when driving Rupununi ahead early in the straight to beat Touch Of Ebony by half a length in the Smithwicks Handicap.
Colm O’Donoghue got a dream run, there were plenty inside him who didn’t, on the Kevin O’Brien trained Mwaley to beat No Frontier a head in the Guinness EBF Fillies Handicap.
Arhur Moore’s Blanc C’est Blanc, under a determined Philip Dempsey drive, wore down Anyportinastorm, in front off the home turn, in the last 100 yards to land the Bumper.
