Wins Now takes step up in class in his stride

WINS NOW, so impressive when scoring at Navan previously, confirmed the good impression created then when stepping up in class to beat Franklins Trail in the McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle at Cork on Saturday.

Very much a future chaser in the making, the J P McManus-owned gelding is trained by Niall Madden and was partnered by his son, ‘Slippers’.

The winner travelled and jumped beautifully through the contest and he and Franklins Trail emerged as the principals from the third last.

It was always going in favour of Wins Now, however, and he quickened in style from the final flight to score by two lengths.

“The ground was very dead, he prefers it looser than that”, said Madden senior. “I will have to talk to Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) before making any plans. I am not ruling out Cheltenham, but there are a lot of nice races for him here at home.”

Willie Mullins and Davy Condon teamed up with Franklins Trail and they were out of luck as well with Cobham in the first division of the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle.

The well-backed market-leader had this in the bag when standing way off the last, crashing out of the race.

Pat O'Connor's ex-winning pointer Lady Elite was left in front and made the rest in the hands of Ken Whelan.

The daughter of Lord Americo was returned at 33-1, but paid a whopping 63-1 on the Tote.

Commented O'Connor: “She's a good mare, but is not a hundred per cent and we didn't really fancy her. She's had little problems, was lame and had the cough for a fortnight.”

Killeagh, Co Cork handler, Martin Fitzgerald, who has held a licence for some two years, saddled his first winner on the track when Jennys Oscar took the second section of the same contest.

Davy Russell flashed her ahead off the home turn and she was always holding the late rush of Wara Mountain.

“She deserved to win a Bumper, but that makes up for it”, said Fitzgerald, who had three successes as a rider on the track and 24 on the point-to-point circuit.

Michael O'Brien's Significant, who had shown plenty in two outings over flights, proved a smooth winner of the Coolagown Maiden Hurdle.

Produced with impeccable timing by Andrew Lynch to lead going to the last, he proved far too good for the front-running Slash And Burn.

“He's a horse who has done really well over the last few months”, reported O'Brien's assistant, Denis Cullen.

“He should make into a really nice sort and has the makings of a decent chaser.”

The moderate McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle was won in good style by 25-1 shot Sarah Tansy.

Dusty Sheehy's mare edged ahead between the last two flights to beat Derrygowna Court with a little in hand.

She was a third success for rider, Sean Flanagan, who hopes to turn professional in the near future.

The layers, who enjoyed a couple of decent results, rounded off their day in style when 14-1 chance Dancing Tornado won the Bumper, quickening up under two furlongs down to beat Baltiman. The six-year-old is trained by Maurice Keane, carried the colours of his wife, Bernadette, and was ridden by his son, Alan.