In Excelsis responds with late flourish
The colt was quickly clipped even tighter, lodging at 1-4. Those who bet the odds did, however, have a few uneasy moments.
Jim Bolger’s Globalized held the call inside the furlong pole, but a couple of sharp cracks from Jamie Spencer soon had In Excelsis in full flow and he was well on top through the last 100 yards.
“He hated the ground, but learned plenty,” said O’Brien. “It’s a credit to Tipperary that we have raced and the track is in great condition.”
John Oxx’s Rihla, who caught the eye over an extended seven furlongs at Tipperary a week earlier, made no mistake in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
She showed her appreciation of a step up in trip, toying with the opposition for Michael Kinane.
Rihla cantered into the lead with a furlong and a half to run to score unextended by five lengths.
Ger Lyons’ Jockser ran away with the Jack Of Trumps Racing Club Handicap in the hands of Pat Cosgrave.
On the pace from the start, the diminutive gelding powered ahead over three furlongs down, shooting clear in the straight to win by six lengths.
“He didn’t grow from two to three, but has a big heart”, reported Lyons. “I hope the handicapper realises it was a bad race and doesn’t go bananas!”
Bookmakers got a decent result when the Pauline Gavin trained Mynish turned over Nassaro, 7-4 to 5-4, in the Tipperary Racecourse Membership Maiden Hurdle.
Nassaro is a hard horse with which to win, but Paul Carberry appeared to have finally found the key when producing him from behind to lead half way up the run-in.
But once David Russell got a few back-handers into Mynish, he showed much the greater resolution close home to score by a head.
“We are hoping now to run him in a ladies race at Killarney”, commented the delighted trainer.
The stewards inquired into possible interference from the second last, but there was never any possibility of a change of result.
The www.tipperaryraces.ie Novice Hurdle was a moderate event, but Eamonn Sheehy’s Rocksham could do no more than score in a canter.
A daughter of Bluebird, winner of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot over five furlongs for Vincent O’Brien, she certainly stays well.
Shay Barry had her in front from the start and this splendid jumper had the contest in safe keeping well before the home turn.
Sheehy indicated that Rocksham would go to Sligo on Sunday, if she wasn’t balloted out.
Monsieur Monet, recently successful in a point-to-point, looked a decent sort when landing the Bumper.
In-form Robert Widger allowed him to stride on fully six furlongs out and the Shane Donohoe trained five-year-old galloped powerfully through the testing conditions to beat Remember Tom by seven lengths.
The son of Norwich is a half-brother to this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, Sir Rembrandt.
John Brassil enjoyed a welcome turn when 20-1 shot Cora Chaitlin took the Summer Barbeques at Tipperary Handicap. Well handled by the very capable Cathy Gannon, the winner forged ahead with over a furlong to go to beat Arbelina.
