So smooth Rathgar Beau set for cash with Moscow Flyer
He left a disappointing effort at Leopardstown over Christmas solidly behind, proving seven lengths too good for Central House.
Shay Barry missed the ride then, because of injury, and was replaced by Tony McCoy. Rathgar Beau, however, was never going, trailing in fourth of four behind Central House.
But, with Barry back in the plate, the placings were reversed emphatically, after the front-running Central House had blundered badly four from home. Rathgar Beau was galloping all over him in the straight and quickened away stylishy on the level to score with a lot in hand.
Commented trainer, Dusty Sheehy: “He was dehydrated at Leopardstown, but I knew he was back to his best. He was working fierce well. He will run next in the Red Mills at Gowran Park and will then head for Cheltenham.”'
Boylesports tightened him from 25-1 to 20's and gave Central House a 33-1 quote. Cashmans, however, went a more realistic 50-1 Rathgar Beau.
Native Upmanship, trying to win the contest for the fourth consecutive year, led briefly with a circuit to cover, but was quickly back-pedalling and is clearly a light of other days.
Ted Walsh's Never Compromise, runner-up behind Earthmover in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in March, outclassed his rivals to take the Coolmore Brian Boru Hunters ’Chase.
Walsh put up his relatively inexperienced 20-year-old daughter Katie and the layers felt comfortable offering as high as 3-1.
But that found real favour with punters and the market leader was hammered down to 13-8. He never gave his supporters a moments worry, under a competent and confident drive from the youngster.
Ms Walsh, enjoying a third success and a first over fences, allowed him stride on going to the third and Never Compromise made the rest, steadily drawing clear from the fourth last.
“I got as much of a kick out of that as anything else I have ever done in racing'', said trainer-Walsh, who recalled piloting Attitude Adjuser to win this contest some twenty years earlier.
“He jumped like a buck for Katie and will now go to Leopardstown on Sunday week. Derek O'Connor (regular pilot) will take over and if he wins then it will be back to Cheltenham.”
Tom Taaffe's Native Heights proved far too good for his rivals in the MFM Motors Cashel Handicap Hurdle. Positively ridden by Barry Geraghty, the winner led going to four out and had no trouble making the rest.
Said Taaffe: “Patience is a virtue, he has let us down in the past in every possible way he could.”
Taaffe had an upbeat bulletin on stable star, Kicking King, who goes straight for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. “He's in terrific shape, exactly the way I would want him'', reported Taaffe.
Gerry Cully was loud in his praise of Davy Condon, after he had partnered Arc En Ciel to take the Gain Recovery Plus Hurdle.
“He won because of the jockey, he rode him the way he should be ridden”, remarked the clearly well-pleased trainer.
Golden Exchange edged ahead going to four out, but Condon got a real tune from Arc En Ciel to sweep past after the final flight.
“The further this horse goes the better and we will now find a winners’ race somewhere”, said Cully.
Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh treated the sizeable attendance to a terrific finish to the Durkan New Homes Anaglogs Daughter EBF Mares Novice Chase.
Victory went to McCoy aboard Adarma who beat Nolans Pride by a hard fought three lengths.
They had a real battle up the straight, with Adarma finally getting on top coming away from the last.
Adarma had been beaten previously at long odds-on at Gowran Park, a performance which left connections perplexed. “We couldn't find anything wrong'', said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner, J P McManus.
Bright Gas, easy winner at Navan last week, was always an odds-on shot in the INH Stallion Farms EBF Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle, but proved most disappointing.
After making a lot of the running, she began to struggle long before the straight, finishing a well beaten third.
Victory went to Billy Bush, who powered through for Conor O'Dwyer to collar American Jennie at the final flight.
Said Morris: “He's a real 'chaser in the making and will be better when getting better ground.”
Derek O'Connor was seen at his strongest when forcing Monoceros to the front in the last stride of the Bumper to short head the flattering Offshore Account.
