Russell produces magical piece of riding to cajole Cloudy Bays home in front
Public Reaction and Mossy Green went toe-to-toe from a fair way out and Mossy Green finally got the best of that battle at the last fence.
Heading to two out, Cloudy Bays was a remote third and had only made a little progress as the ‘principals’ turned in.
But Russell kept pushing and cajoling and Cloudy Bays found plenty, the first two began to run up and down on the spot, to sweep past close home.
“He’s a quirky horse and made mistakes at the two fences up the hill”, reported Russell.
“I didn’t want to go for him too far out. I thought I was only going to be placed down hill, but when I turned in I always felt we were going to get there.”
The stewards were unable to conduct an inquiry into the apparent improvement in form by Cloudy Bays, which was requested by the senior National Hunt handicapper, Noel O’Brien. The reason was that Byrnes was absent and his representative, Georgina O’Shea, had no permission to act on his behalf.
This was in breach of the rules and the stewards referred the matter to the Referrals Committee.
Shane Kelly, who trains near Kilbeggan racecourse, saddled the eighth winner of his career when My True Romance took the David Flynn Construction Novice Handicap Hurdle.
The daughter of Orpen got the best of the battle with Brogue Lane, after the latter had made a mistake at the final flight.
“This is a lucky place for me, it’s my second winner here from just two runners”, reported Kelly, who has held a licence for a year and a half.
Adrian Joyce partnered My True Romance and was desperately unlucky not to complete a double in the Kent Bros Beginners Chase.
He was aboard Gotno Destination, who was about a length to the good when swerving out at the last fence.
Always prominent Gaspar was left in the lead and made the rest to beat long-absent Anyportinastorm.
Gaspar is trained at Ashbourne, Co Meath by Thomas Arnold, who was enjoying a first success in Ireland, having had one winner when based in England.
Bookmakers got a screamer in the James F Wallace Chartered Accountants’ and Business Consultants Maiden Hurdle with victory going to 25-1 shot, the Thomas O’Leary-trained Wagga Wagga.
When Joys Island cruised ahead going to two out, he looked sure to score. He appeared a bigger certainty jumping the final flight.
But Sean McDermott conjured a terrific late surge from Wagga Wagga, who flew home to score going away by three parts of a length.
There were similarities in the Waterford and Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle when 14-1 chance Broom Battalion came late and fast to grab Deal Or No Deal.
The latter made a lot of the running, but Joe Burns got a fine response from his charge to grab the advantage by a neck. For Burns, who comes from Butlerstown, Co Waterford, it was a sixth success on the track.
Trainer, Henry de Bromhead, said: “That’s a surprise, I thought he’d need at least a couple of more runs to educate him.”
Shay Barry took no prisoners on Sabina Park in the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase.
He made his move starting out into the country for the last time and the mare galloped away to score by 15 lengths.
“She’s very honest, but just might not have that extra gear”, said trainer, Dot Love, from Mullingar.
Mags Mullins’ Ethan’s Star and Paul Cashman got the best of a tough tussle with Splurge and Katie Walsh in the Bumper.
“He’s a a nice staying hurdler in the making, it’s good to get his head in front in a bumper”, commented Mullins.
