Aintree next for in-form Pearly Jack
Trainer Davy Fitzgerald has the Grand National at Aintree as the long-term goal for his charge and the eight-year-old heads to Liverpool next weekend to get a feel of the fences.
“He is definitely going, but I am undecided as to which race it will be”, reported Fitzgerald.
“It will either be the Beecher Chase or the Grand Sefton and Slippers Madden will ride.”
Pearly Jack had to work hard for this latest success, edging ahead coming away from the second last and staying on to hold Arafan by a neck.
“He was held up after the Munster National and needed this badly”, said Fitzgerald.
Philip Hobbs’ 19-year-old daughter, Katherine, enjoyed her first success on the racecourse when Pearl’s A Singer shrugged off top weight in the OBI Business Developments Advisors Britain V Ireland Ladies challenge Handicap Hurdle.
Ms Hobbs, she has six winners in the point-to-point fields to her credit, made her move coming away from three out and Pearl’s A Singer did the rest, despite a tendency to hang left in the straight and a minor error at the last.
“She gave it a great ride, I’m delighted for her”, commented Eric McNamara, enjoying a welcome turn, having lost his best horse, Stoneville, at Thurles last week.
Further compensation awaited the trainer when Robbie McNamara, no relation, got a real tune from Glengali to beat Johnny Gonzalez in the European Property Investments Handicap Hurdle.
“He obviously likes Limerick and Robbie”, said McNamara.
“He was to have gone to Cheltenham, but would have had to race off a mark 12lbs higher, so stayed at home.”
The 18-year-old amateur McNamara landed the first double of his career, and his 13th an all, when guiding John Kiely’s Shuil A Hocht to a comfortable success in the Mares Bumper.
Partnered with real confidence, Shuil A Hocht came from well off the pace to power into the lead over a furlong down.
Said Kiely: “She’s improving all the time and will now go hurdling. She’s a lovely big mare and chasing will be her game next season.”
Mick Finan gave Wexford handler Lar Byrne his fourth winner when putting up a game display to take the Arramount Furniture Maiden Hurdle.
He came with his effort going to the last, was hampered by eventual runner-up, Holly Tree, but James O’Farrell soon had him back on terms again and Mick Finan was a short head to the good at the line.
Said Byrne: “He’s a tough little lad and will now go for a winners of one.”
Ride The Storm gave a fine exhibition of jumping to take the Corporate Cleaning Services Garryowen Plate Handcap Chase.
He made a lot of the running, under a dashing Shay Barry drive, but certainly had plenty luck on his side.
Rockspring Hero was challenging strongly going to the final fence when running out, after the pair had come close together.
The stewards had a look at the incident and concluded it was accidental, although Barry was reminded to ride with more care in the future.
The Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle was won by the impressive Streetshavenoname, who might just be one for the future.
Capably handled by Shane McGovern, he powered to the front approaching the penultimate flight and quickly stretched right away to beat Alabama Banjo by five and a half lengths.
The stewards inquired into the performance of Sherney, trained by Charles Byrnes, which finished 14th.
Following their deliberations Sherney’s pilot, Michael Butler, was found guilty of making insufficient effort and suspended for ten racedays.
Tom Taaffe trains Streetshavenoname and he was on the mark as well with Kings Advocate in the Glenview Stud Beginners Chase.
Always prominent, Kings Advocate jumped on four out and galloped relentlessly from there to beat Sir Frederick, who came from well behind. The six-year-old was a fourth winner for pilot, Pat Collins (18).
