Smullen gets the best out of Revue
On an afternoon when there were several withdrawals because of the fast ground, he got an enterprising drive from Pat Smullen, nipping into the lead when the trail-blazing Whitebeam ran off the first bend. Revue made the rest, finding plenty for pressure in the straight to hold the late rush of Emperors Guest by half a length.
“Running down hill was a help, he got a bit of momentum going,” said Smullen: “It was a weak race, but a win is a win.”
Earlier in the afternoon Smullen, despite dropping his whip, initiated a double when giving the Michael Cunningham trained Tara’s Gift a strong ride to take the second division of the Rock Of Cashel Handicap.
Contradiction tried to make all, but the winner edged past inside the furlong pole and stayed on to beat Or’Dans by three parts of a length.
Cunningham completed an 87-1 double when Shaiyran got the best of a desperate tussle for the Nenagh Handicap.
Shaiyran, by Darshaan and bred by the Aga Khan with a lot more than this moderate race in mind, got into the contest as second reserve and made the best of the opportunity. Kate Emily was in front five furlongs down, but Shaiyran was forced past close home by Timmy Houlihan with South West Nine close up in third.
Rathangan, Co Kildare permit holder, Dermot Murphy, enjoyed a turn when Girl Wonder, appropriately partnered by Helen Keohane, streaked away with the first division of the Rock Of Cashel Handicap. Keohane, notching her 16th career-success, sent the daughter of Magical Wonder ahead under two furlongs out and she was soon well clear. Murphy, whose main business is gardening and numbers Johnny Murtagh among his clients, commented: “I’d say she was a big price (12-1), I didn’t have a shilling on.”
Michael Hourigan’s Mr Sneaky Boo, making his debut over fences, turned-over long odds-on Heezapistol in the Heineken Novice ’Chase. Heezapistol got to the front coming away from two out, but by the time the final fence had arrived it was the Mr Sneaky Boo who held all the aces for Paul Carberry.
“I wasn’t worried about his jumping, he had schooled well at home,” said Hourigan. “The horse had enough of it over hurdles and we’ll try and win something similar now.”
Hourigan and Carberry combined for a double when Royal Mirage, 7-2 to 5-2 favourite, beat Noble Shift a short head in the Urlingford Maiden Hurdle.
The winner was a poor third into the straight, as Shersha and Noble Shift made their bids for glory. But gradually Royal Mirage reeled them in and was just too strong for Noble Shift in the final strides.
High Prospect justified favouritism in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle, staying on well to beat the front-running Celio. High Prospect was pulling double over his rival going to the last, but Celio was far quicker away from the flight and Gary Hutchinson had to get serious with his charge on the level to score by half a length.
“He’s in the Powers’ Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse and if the weights go up enough will run in that next,” said trainer, Paul Nolan.
In the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle favourite, State Power, was withdrawn at the start on veterinary advice and most punters then relied on top weight, Knockatotaun. She tried to make all, but was tackled at the last by Anonymity, who had a bit more to offer in the final 50 yards, under Pat Crowley.
