So Game Jenniferjo gets better of I’vehadit
Fahy’s original plan was to run his mare in a handicap at Limerick on Sunday. But when she gave a few coughs that notion was abandoned.
The six-year-old then scoped clear over the weekend, so Fahy thought it was worthwhile giving her a shot at this nice prize.
I’vehadit and Lord Of The Turf set a spanking gallop, although the latter never looked particularly happy and didn’t jump well.
In any case I’vehadit jumped ahead over the fifth last and going to three out Jenniferjo emerged as the only possible danger.
David Casey threw her at the second last, she landed in front and stayed on strongly on the level to hold the renewed effort of the runner-up.
Said Fahy: “At the moment the plan is the Irish Grand National, but it’s possible we could change our minds!”
Lord Who benefitted from a strong Barry Geraghty drive to take the St Patrick’s Day Maiden Hurdle.
Market leader Satcoman edged on with just under a circuit to go and for most of the rest of the journey looked the likely winner.
Indeed, he appeared to have taken Lord Who’s measure coming away from the second last, but Geraghty rode a typically powerful finish and Lord Who was well on top in the closing stages.
Said trainer, Pat Doyle: “He’ll have a litte break now. He’s crying out for fences and has never been schooled over hurdles.”
Edward O’Grady’s Sacundai enjoyed little more than a good school to justify long-odds on favouritism in the Limerick Hurdle.
"He had his task considerably eased, however, when Light On The Broom, who hit the front at the previous hurdle, fell four from home.
Said O’Grady: “He might go for a two and a half mile race at Aintree now.”
Garrett Cotter, very much in-form, gave Mouse Morris’ Brownie Returns a dashing drive to take the Dawn Milk Handicap ’Chase.
The winner led at the fifth, but was headed going to two out by Good Vintage. Brownie Returns, however, was back in front on landing and Cotter drove him out in fine style to score by a length.
“I’ll try and find another one somewhere”, remarked Morris. Barry Geraghty, whose mount Satcoslam fell at the fifth, was kicked and, though basically okay, stood himself down for the rest of the day.
The Eugene O’Sullivan trained Arctic Times was a big order in the market for the BDO Simpson Xavier Hunters ’Chase, 5-4 to 4-5, and duly landed the bets.
He led when the front running Dun Laocha Castle blundered three out and stayed on in the straight to hold Mr Dance A Lot.
Arctic Times is owned by Trevor Hemmings, whose Chives ran a blinder in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is a live Grand National candidate for Henrietta Knight.
Said O’Sullivan: “Mr Hemmings likes Liverpool and Arctic Times will go there for a novice hunters ’chase.” Charles Byrnes’ Rockstown Boy, 1-2 from 4-7, took the Mellon Stud Make No Mistake Bumper in a canter.
"He cruised through from the rear to lead under two furlongs down to beat Criaire Princess, without being asked any sort of question.
“That was a nice confidence-builder,” said Byrnes.
“I’m not pushed about running him again this season, but am looking forward to bringing him back as a novice hurdler.”
Shay Barry conjured a tremendous late surge from Lotomore Lad to grab the White Rabbit Web Centre Handicap Hurdle.
Achilles Spirit cannoned into the winner at the second last, but he was quickly back on an even keel, jumped the last in fifth place and then powered through to sccore snugly in the end.
