Central House outclasses rivals in opener
He was backed from 3-1 to 9-4 favourite and totally outclassed his rivals, under Kieran Kelly. Windfall tried to make all, but the winner cruised to the front on the approach to the second last.
Rob The Five attempted to close, but was always fighting a losing battle and there was six lengths between them at the line. Said Hughes: “I’m not sure where he will go next. We’ll give him a three weeks break and maybe he will run at Punchestown on Durkan weekend.’’
Hughes outlined plans for two of his stable stars, Colonel Braxton and Hardy Eustace. Colonel Braxton is likely to have one run prior to Christmas and then challenge for the Paddy Power Handicap ’Chase at Leopardstown.
Hardy Eustace, who slammed Beechcourt at Punchestown last time, is set to contest a winners’ of one at Gowran Park next Thursday.
The capable Kelly completed an almost 15-1 double when taking the Suir Handicap ’Chase on Victor Boy. Gerry Keane’s gelding is normally a horse who cannot be put in front until very late, even then he rarely wins, but Kelly has clearly found the key to him.
He partnered the nine-year-old to score at Down Royal previously and this time eased him ahead coming away from the second last. Mackinus rallied strongly late, but Victor Boy held on by a neck.
Commented Keane: “He has taken well to fences and will probably go to Gowran Park or Punchestown next.’’
Michael Hourigan’s Horner Rocks landed a fair old gamble in the Cahir Handicap Hurdle, hardening from 8-1 to half those odds. Barry Geragthy powered him ahead between the last two flights to beat the flattering Lesssaidthebetter a comfortable length and a half. “The plan is for him to go up in class and down in weight’’, said Hourigan.
He confirmed that his Beef Or Salmon, an unlucky loser of the Leopardstown November Handicap, will return to flights at Punchestown tomorrow. Hourigan indicated that his stable star would make his debut over fences in the Morris Oil ’Chase at Clonmel on Sunday week.
Larry Hogan enjoyed the first success of his life with a game display in the INH Stallion Owners’ Maiden Hurdle. The winner and My Native Donegal emerged as the principals from two out, but by the final flight it was Larry Hogan and Keith Hadnettt who were holding all the aces.
“He will stay hurdling for the season and go for the final of this series’’, reported trainer, Patrick Sinnott.
Market leader Cullenagh Native was supported from 9-4 to 6-4. He came under strong pressure heading to the third last and was out of contention when pulled up at the other side of the obstacle. He broke down.
Paul Carberry, who partnered My Native Donegal, was stood down for the rest of the day, having been diagnosed as suffering from acute gastroenteritis. Shay Barry was again seen to advantage when forcing the front running The Premier Cat to battle back and land the Beginners ’Chase.
Kapok led two out, plenty early enough for him, and lost his chance when none too clever at the last. Boneyarrow edged on here, but The Premier Cat rallied in fine style to lead half way up the run in. “He surprised me’’, exclaimed trainer, Tom Cahill. He wasn’t the only one surprised, because The Premier Cat had shown little on his debut over fences on this track earlier in the month.
Mark Grant gave Derravarra Breeze a good drive to take the Powerstown Demesne Handicap Hurdle. The winner led on the down hill run to the home turn and though Akali stayed on from the final flight there was still a length between them at the line.
Kieran Kelly, successful on Central House and Victor Boy, was deprived of a treble when Pisces, in front early in the straight, was grabbed in the final fifty yards by Where Now in the Fethard Handicap Hurdle.
FOLLOWING heavy rain at Punchestown yesterday, there will be a precautionary inspection at 8.30 this morning to determine whether tomorrow’s meeting can go ahead.
