Blazing Liss rebounds with sparkling display
Davy Russell was in no hurry with John Kiely’s charge, but she loomed up on the heels of the leaders approaching the home turn.
Russell pushed her ahead before the second last and she quickly slipped clear to beat Ocras Mor unextended by four lengths.
Said Russell: “She jumped and settled great. I gave her a breather before the straight and then away she went.”
Commented Kiely: “I was a bit worried the ground would be too quick, he gave her a good ride. She will go to Fairyhouse now, as long as the ground is safe.”
Barry Geraghty, fresh from a tremendous Cheltenham, guided the Francis Flood trained Shivermetimber to a three lengths success in the Grade Three Advanced Securities EBF Mares Novice Chase.
The winner was in a front a long way from home, the sixth last, and had no trouble making the rest.
Flood was represented by his son, Fran, who indicated that the main thing for the daughter of Arctic Lord was she had now got black type.
“A Ruby special”, was how Willie Mullins described the victory of his Gayle Abated in the Sarsfield Bridge Hotel Maiden Hurdle.
It certainly took all of Ruby Walsh’s considerable strength to get him home in front, after market leader, Graduand, had set a scorching pace.
The leader began to struggle off the home bend, however, as Panaea edged on. But Walsh was now getting a generous response from his partner and there was only going to be one winner heading to the last.
“He needs all of three miles and will handle even drier ground”, reported Mullins.
“We put him straight over fences, but he was a bit immature.
“He will go back over fences again, is a fine big horse and has loads of scope.”
Mullins and Walsh went on to complete a double when Euro Leader made a belated seasonal debut in the appropriately named Mullins Electrical Beginners Chase.
“He has been off with muscle trouble in his back”, explained the in-form handler. Euro Leader gave an exhibition of jumping and looked set to record an easy win early in the straight.
He flicked over two out in effortless fashion, but slipped at the back of the obstacle and was suddenly in danger of defeat.
Davy Russell got a renewed effort from Endless Magic and the duo were in the air together at the final fence. Euro Leader made his only mistake here, but Endless Magic fell and that was that.
“He could go for the Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, but more than likely it will be a winners’ of one”, said Mullins.
The Carlow handler almost landed a treble with the newcomer, Of Course, in the Bumper, but he was grabbed late by Jimmy Mangan’s highly promising Conna Castle.
The pair had a terrific tussle through the last furlong and half, with Damian Murphy forcing Conna Castle up in the shadow of the post to score by a head.
“This is a smart horse, but he is crying out for a fence”, said Mangan.
“I am reluctant to run him in any more bumpers, although I might be tempted to take him to Liverpool for one.”
Murphy and Mangan had made their way to Limerick, having earlier teamed up to take a winners’ race at Liscarroll with Bobbawn.
No Half Session went off favourite for the moderate and wide open Greenmount Handicap Chase and duly did the business.
Paul Carberry was at his cheekiest on Noel Meade’s charge, only asking for the minimum in the closing stages to hold A New Story.
The equally moderate Bambury Bookmakers’ Handicap Hurdle was won in good style by the Gary Hutchinson partnered River Salts.
Pushed ahead before the straight, River Salts answered the call from her pilot to hold the persistent challenge of Milord Jones.
