Champion Chase confidence-booster for Upmanship
Arctic Copper made a lot of the running, despite jumping violently to his left at some of the fences.
In contrast, Native Upmanship jumped brilliantly and was always travelling sweetly in the hands of Conor O’Dwyer.
O’Dwyer made his move between the last two fences, coming between Arctic Copper and Moscow Express, and Native Upmanship soon eased clear without being asked any sort of question.
Said trainer, Arthur Moore: "That was a nice confidence-booster and he will now go straight to Cheltenham for the Champion Chase. Only if the ground came up dangerously fast would he miss the meeting.”
Both Cashmans (12-1) and Ladbrokes (10-1) left Native Upmanship unchanged for his Cotswolds assignment.
Andrew Lee’s Risky Reef, a horse who needs to be delivered late, was given a confident drive by Ruby Walsh to win the Gain Recovery Plus Hurdle.
Pay It Forward edged on turning for home, from Skibb, with Risky Reef tracking the pair in third.
Walsh eased his charge ahead before the final flight and the six-year-old stayed on in the closing stages to score by three parts of a length.
Said Lee: "I’m very happy with that and delighed for Aileen (his wife) who lost her father recently. I would like to try him in a big handicap some day.”
Emmet, bred and trained by Edward O’Grady, battled on dourly to overhaul Heads Onthe Ground in the INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle. Heads Onthe Ground went for glory early on the final circuit and the tactics looked like reaping a dividend.
Emmet, however, stalked the leader from three out and seemed set to swamp the leader heading to the last.
But Heads Onthe Ground battled on and it was half way up the run in before Emmet finally got on top.
"He might go to Clonmel next Thursday for a winners’ race”, reported O’Grady.
Thyestes Chase heroine Be My Belle proved a costly failure in the Durkan New Homes Anaglog’s Daughter Mares Novice Chase. She always makes the running, but was last away from the tape and could never get in a blow. Timmy Murphy’s mount did go fourth five from home, but could only stay on at the one pace in the closing stages.
Victory went to John Murphy’s Come In Moscow, partnered by Keith Hadnett, who actually enjoyed his first ever win on the mare.
Come In Moscow swept ahead approaching the home turn and quickly scampered away from Princess Symphony. "She’s not too bad and Keith gave her a great ride”, said Murphy.
The Seam Aherne trained The Wipper made every yard of the running to totally outclass his rivals in the Bach Hunters Chase. Successful in eight point-to-points, the Damien Murphy ridden gelding jumped for fun and had this in safe keeping a long way from home. Commented Aherne: "He deserved to win a hunters chase and will probably go to Fairyhouse next month.”
Jamie Codd lost his 7lbs claim when partnering Willie Mullins’ newcomer, Kim Fontaine, to a smooth victory in the Bumper.
Kim Fontaine was very easy in the market, but on the track it was a different story, as he eased into the lead early in the straight to score unextended by three and a half lengths. Said Mullins: "He did it nicely and I’m quite pleased with that, I thought he’d need better ground. I will discuss it with the owners regarding Cheltenham.”
Tom Foley enjoyed a welcome turn when Yogi landed the Horse and Jockey Handicap Hurdle.
Enterprisingly handled by Garrett Cotter, Yogi went on heading to the third last and was always holding Leapogues Lady on the flat.
