Oscar’s Advance lands gamble in smooth style
Christy Roche’s charge made most of the running when scoring at Punchestown previously, but a change of tactics here reaped a rich dividend.
Said Roche: “I told Tony (McCoy) to keep an eye on David Wachman’s horse. I felt David’s fellow stayed well and that we would have more speed than him.”
McCoy carried out the instructions to perfection, his only worry coming three from home. The winner was cantering in fourth spot when losing his hind legs at the back of the obstacle. For a moment he looked in trouble, but McCoy gave him time to find his feet again. Drunken Disorderly went on before the second last, but Oscar’s Advance quickly gathered him in and was in complete control approaching the final flight.
Rather surprisingly, the layers installed Drunken Disorderly as favourite, but the punters had other ideas and Oscar’s Advance was a big order in the ring, hardening from 7-4 to evens market leader.
Conor O’Dwyer, riding out of his skin, gave Skibb a delightful drive to win the opening Beginners’ Chase.
O’Dwyer, as cute as a fox, sat off the pace as New Field and Tony McCoy went for glory jumping the fifth last.
But Skibb gradually worked his way into the contest and eased past New Field between the final two fences to score unextended by nine lengths.
“He’s good (O’Dwyer), I might give him a job”, quipped winning trainer, Mouse Morris. “This horse jumps well and has oodles of ability, maybe this will get him going.”
Liam Burke’s Sir Frederick came late and fast, in the hands of Davy Russell, to take the Clonoulty Hurdle.
Campanella looked sure to score when hitting the front coming away from two out, but Sir Frederick finished with a real flourish and was nicely on top at the end.
Owned by the seven-member Seven Heads Syndicate from West Cork, the Insan gelding is a “pure chaser in the making”, according to Burke.
Said Burke: “That’s a bit of a surprise, he certainly didn’t have the speed to win over that trip last season. He’ll have another run over hurdles and we will see after that.”
Charlie Swan’s What A Native won the Templemore Handicap Chase with any amount in hand for David Casey.
He cruised past front-running The Wipper going to the fourth last and Casey was literally able to sit motionless afterwards.
Commented Swan: “He’s broken down twice and loves the soft. He will now go for something similar.”
Niall Madden returned badly shaken after taking a fall from Teknash and was stood down for seven days.
The complexion of the Cahir three-year-old Maiden Hurdle changed as early as the first flight when favourite Orpen Guama was among five horses who departed the scene.
The contest was eventually won in a canter by Willie Mullins’ first-timer over jumps, Clear Riposte.
Taken to the front long before the turn in by Ruby Walsh, Clear Riposte quickly stretched 20 lengths clear.
“She jumped well and could run again before Christmas”, said Mullins.
He indicated he was unsure whether the potentially high class Missed That, frustrated twice by the balloting system in his efforts to start off over fences, would now go to Navan on Sunday.
In that first flight melee Keith Hadnett suffered a possible broken arm and both David Flannery and Sean McDermott suspected broken shoulder blades. All were removed to hospital in Thurles, while Denis O’Regan was stood down for the rest of the day.
Jack Ingham, trained by Edward O’Grady for Sue Magnier, streaked away with the Bumper.
Backed from 5-4 to 4-5 and partnered by the owner’s son, J P, Jack Ingham went on with under a circuit to cover and never subsequently looked in danger of defeat.
“He’s a nice horse and I hope the next time you see him will be at Cheltenham (Wetherbys’ Champion Bumper)”, reported O’Grady.
Cashmans introduced Jack Ingham as 12-1 co-favourite of three for that race with Philip Hobbs’ Leading Contender and Christy Roche’s Line Ball.
Nine O and Brian Byrnes powered clear in the straight to easily win the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and ensure there was only one winner of the Jackpot.
