Quadco revels in ground to trounce his GPT rivals
The seven-year-old has been plagued by problems and has been a nightmare to train for handler, Pat Fahy, who is based in Carlow .
“He is always injured following a run and spends two weeks to a month in his box after an outing’’, said a delighted Fahy.
Indeed, Fahy, who is originally from Athenry, believed Quadco was in real trouble at Wexford previously.
“We thought he had broken down on two legs, but two scans revealed he was okay’’, said Fahy.
He certainly was okay, as he trounced his rivals, clearly revelling in the soft ground.
Rider Peter Fahey, recently returned from a spell in America, set Quadco alight off the home turn and the race was over in a matter of strides.
Quadco exploded clear to beat Rathbawn Prince and Moscow Retreat with any amount in hand.
Commented trainer-Fahy: “He’s a fantastic horse on his day.
“I took him out of Thursday’s Hurdle, but he could come back here next Sunday.’’
That, of course, very much depends on just how sound Quadco is when pulled out this morning.
Market leaders Direct Bearing and High Prospect were very disappointing.
High Prospect was in trouble with a full circuit to cover, while Direct Bearing was found to be coughing post-race.
Christy Roche’s Puck Out, owned by J P McManus, was easy to back in the opening GPT Sligo Maiden Hurdle, but won in a canter, despite blundering at the final flight.
Confidently handled by Paul Moloney, he eased into the lead before the home turn to beat Nonchalant by five lengths.
“I wouldn’t say it was expected, I was hoping this was a weak race’’, reported Roche.
“He got a lovely run, but is a small horse and hasn’t a lot of scope.’’
Regarding future plans, Roche said: “If he wasn’t J P’s I’d be hoping to sell him!’’
Roche and McManus completed a double when Wouldn’t You Agree, 3-1 market leader from 4’s, stormed away with the Bumper.
He surged into the lead approaching the home turn for Alan Crowe and quickly put plenty daylight between himself and hard pressed rivals.
Dermot Weld’s Faadhil went off market leader for the GPT Access Equipment Maiden, but went under to Kevin Prendergast’s smart newcomer, Abunawwas.
Faadhil looked sure to score when cruising into the lead turning in and, indeed, was soon a couple of lengths clear.
But the winner found a real turn of foot to grab the leader in the last 50 yards and eventually socre by a cosy half a length.
Prendergast wasn’t at the meeting but indicated, from his base at the Curragh, that the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh could be next on the cards for the son of In The Wings.
Commented winning pilot, Declan McDonogh: “He was a bit green and it took him a while to get the hang of what was required.
But once he hit the rising ground he was fine, he’s a smart little horse.’’
A fair old gamble went astray on the John Oxx trained Lowlander in the GPT Van and Truck Rentals.
He was taken from 4-1 to 9-4 favourite and punters were on good terms with themselves when he edged on with half a mile to go.
But the find of the campaign thus far, Helen Keohane, brought Avena Sativa with a beautifully timed challenge to master Lowlander with less than a furlong to go.
Nuzum Road Makers made a gallant attempt to defy top weight in the GPT Dublin Handicap, only losing out late to Consalvo.
Shay Barry sent Nuzum Road Makers ahead going to two out and the veteran shook off the flattering Victor Boy at the last.
But Consalvo and Kieran Kelly finished with a real flourish to get up closehome and score by three parts of a length.
Langkawi Bay, a 20-1 shot, got up in the dying strides to take the GPT Cork Handicap and ensure that the Jackpot pool, in excess of 40,000 wasn’t won and is carried forward to the second stage of the Festival tonight.
