Layers reeling after Cailin Alainn lands some hefty wagers
She was the medium of some decent wagers in the ring and it takes a lot of money to force a horse from 2-1 to 13-8 at this meeting.
Davy Russell is riding at the peak of his powers and seemed to have this field covered throughout.
He pushed the mare ahead early in the straight and the result was never in doubt. Cailin Alainn had a good look at the last, but once at the other side roared clear to easily beat Patsy Hall.
“She idled in front”, said Russell. “She was better today than in the Drimore at Fairyhouse and is improving all the time. The pace of the race was against her, she would have liked it much quicker.”
Owned by the 13-member Dewdrop Racing Syndicate from north Kerry, Cailin Alainn now has four successes over fences to her credit. She also took her previous two races over flights, so this was six in-a-row.
Said Byrnes: “The SunAlliance at Cheltenham is the target and she will probably go for the Moriarty back here before that.
“I have always thought she wanted good ground, but you would have to think about that now. This was a muddling contest and I feel the first two would have been further clear with a stronger gallop.”
Boylesports and Cashmans both go 10-1 Cailin Alainn for the SunAlliance, with Paul Nicholls' Denman the clear favourite.
Adrian Maguire has long been extolling the virtues of Celestial Wave and she lived up to all his hopes with a sparkling display in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle.
Beautifully handled by Timmy Murphy, Celestial Wave made every yard of the running, skipping right away off the home turn.
“It's no surprise and I am glad everyone else now knows how good she is”, exclaimed Maguire. “This is fantastic, she loves the ground, the trip and Timmy.”
Maguire is reluctant to take her for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. “Unless they get the diggers in and sort out the drainage she won't be going. Gowran Park at the end of January could be next.”
Ruby Walsh, absent in England for two days over Christmas, got back into the swing of things immediately when taking the opening O'Dwyers' Stillorgan Orchard Maiden Hurdle on Candy Girl.
“She's been very unlucky with injuries, but has a lot of ability”, reported trainer, Willie Mullins.
Market-leader Royaldou went on for Tony McCoy going to the third last, but found nothing when the pressure was applied early in the straight.
Candy Girl, partnered with plenty of patience by Walsh, was soon in full flow, landed in front over the the last and soon put daylight between her and Farmer Brown.
“She will go for a winners' of one now and is strong enough to jump a fence next season” said Mullins.
View Mount Prince won his third handicap in a row, he's only ever run in three of those contests, when landing a touch in the Ganly Walters Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Taken from 5-1 to 3-1 favourite, Pat Hughes' gelding went on shortly after three out and kept going to beat Dolphin Bay.
“A penalty will get him into the Pierse Hurdle (Leopardstown) and he will get the strong gallop he wants”, commented Hughes.
Gem Daly, who was pulled up on his only outing in a point-to-point when in the care of Alan Fleming, ran away with the Bumper.
Now trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Nina Carberry, he eased to the front over a furlong down to beat Oscar Time unextended by six lengths. “I only have him about a month”, said Meade. “I don't have any plans, but he has a lovely French jumping pedigree and is one to look forward to as a chaser.”
Dessie Hughes continued his winner a day at the Festival when First Row landed the Powers' Gold Label Championship Handicap Hurdle.
He squeezed through late for Roger Loughran to beat Woodhouse and The Spoonplayer.
