Progressive Baltimore Hill follows up in fine style
Successful previously in a moderate maiden on this track, Baltimore Hill produced an effort here that was far in advance of that display.
He made every yard of the running for Ruby Walsh, finding plenty for pressure in the closing stages to resist Artiste Bay and Flying Johnny M, who came from well off the pace.
Mullins and Walsh completed a double when Connaught Hall toyed with the opposition in the Meteor Mobile Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Those who traded at 4-5 in the morning were entitled to be well pleased, after she was tightened from 4-7 to 1-2 on track.
Connaught Hall made all the running, lengthening in fine style coming away from three out to easily beat Glorious Moments.
Charlie Swan's Oodachee followed his recent success at Killarney with a game effort in the featured Grade Three Hugh McMahon Memorial Chase.
He blundered at the second last, but found plenty for Davy Russell encouragement to sweep past Vic Ville after the final fence
“I didn't want to get there too soon and wanted him to fiddle the last”, reported Russell. “He nudged the fence, but in fairness to him picked up great.”
Kasnani, bought out of John Oxx's at Goffs and with one outing over flights under his belt, won the Martinstown Maiden Hurdle.
Always travelling sweetly for Paddy Flood, he eased ahead before two out and stayed on well to beat Royal Rhythm
It was a chance ride for Flood, taking over from Barry Geraghty, who injured his thumb at Downpatrick on Friday night.
Commented winning trainer, Paul Nolan: “We were delighted with his run at Tipperary. He did his job well today, he was workmanlike.”
John Kiely's Visit Wexford was the business in the ring, 11-10 from 6-4, but his jumping lacked fluency and he could only manage a one-paced third.
The stewards inquired into the running and riding of Schindlers Sun, trained by Tony Martin, who finished 12th.
As a result of their deliberations, rider, Simon Craig, was suspended for 21 days, the horse suspended for 60 days and Martin was fined €2,000.
The Liam O'Brien trained Sparkle Wood, also partnered by Flood, took the Kilmallock Handicap Chase at odds of 16-1.
“He carried the Glen (Rovers) colours and they won as well last week”, quipped O'Brien. Sparkle Wood certainly had a slice of luck on his side.
Poler Pal was being driven along vigorously from a fair way out by Ruby Walsh, but responded to lead at the second last.
He looked to have the contest in the bag at the last, but made a dreadful mistake and his chance was gone, leaving Sparkle Wood to beat Collinstown.
O'Brien said of his seven-year-old, scoring on the track for the first time: “That was a surprise, we thought the ground had gone for him.”
Kevin Power gave Gleann An Sagart a copybook drive to win the bumper for Dusty Sheehy.
Peoples Cause was in front early in the straight but the winner always had him covered, quickening nicely inside the furlong pole.
Power was expected to complete a double on the dropped-in-class Bothar Na in the Patrickswell Hunters Chase.
Bothar Na was a big order in the ring, 9-10 from 5-4, but dropped away tamely after the third last. Phelans Fancy, who had been knocking on the door for a while, took over and kept going to beat Oscar India.
