Smooth Larkwing books Cheltenham spot
Formerly a useful stayer when trained on the flat in England by Geoff Wragg, the six-year-old has taken to jumping in fine style.
He travelled beautifully through the contest for Brian Byrnes, who never looked less than totally confident.
Byrnes made his move going to two out and Larkwing quickly stretched away to score unextended by four and a half lengths.
“We will have a small team for Cheltenham, but he will certainly be on the lorry”, reported McNamara.
“He will probably have another run before then and will be even better on better ground. The Ballymore Properties, over two miles and five, will be his race.”
Keith Clarke, who partnered Ben Ryan in this contest, was found guilty of using his whip unnecessarily when out of contention. He was suspended for two days.
McNamara has his charges in terrific shape and he completed a double when Ponmeoath gave a fine exhibition of jumping to win the Coffey Construction Beginners Chase.
Conor O’Dwyer was aboard and made his intentions clear from the start, sending Ponmeoath straight into the lead.
Aghacashel Angel tried his case down hill to the home turn, but Ponmeoath shrugged him off with the minimum of fuss.
Said McNamara: “Whatever ability this horse has, he gives it all. A handicap or a winners’ of one will be next.”
Rindoon, who scored in a canter at Thurles previously, stepped up in class to produce another smooth performance in the Coffey Construction INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
His jumping still gives cause for concern and was a mixture of superb and mediocre. What is not in doubt, though, is the engine.
He made all for Michael Darcy, scoring with any amount in hand from Monoceros.
Commented trainer, Dusty Sheehy: “He’s learning all the time and will probably go to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.” Unique Moment redeemed the promise of her first outing over flights on this track when taking the Coffey Construction Maiden Hurdle.
In front two out, the winner survived a bad blunder at the last to beat always prominent Belord a diminishing neck.
Trainer, Kevin O’Brien, said: “I bought her at Newmarket sales for 12,000 sterling. She won four on the flat before coming to me and will mix it both codes for the summer.”
Disclosure, in front of Unique Moment at Limerick previously, went off the 11-8 favourite, from 7-4.
He was far too free, however, taking a crashing fall, which proved fatal, four out and badly hampering Superjet in the process.
The Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Time to Sell is proving a real money-spinner, winning his fourth race with a clear-cut 23 lengths success in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Capably handled by Martin Ferris, the imposing gelding bounded clear after the third last to add to gains on this track and twice at Thurles.
Said O’Sullivan: “His owner (Joe Buckley, a Mallow businessman) would love to have a runner at Aintree and if there is a suitable race for him then he will go.
“He’s getting his act together and is on the upgrade. He will run through the summer.”
Richie Kiely, on his first day back after breaking his collarbone, guided Sheebadiva to land the Newton Abbot Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
It was a decent effort on the part of the top weight, who led three from home and made the rest.
“This is the first time she’s worn blinkers and they woke her up,” reported trainer, Sean Aherne. “She’s not ungenuine, but had just lost her confidence.”
Joe Crowley’s The Black Lion left some disappointing efforts behind when benefiting from a strong Kevin Power drive to beat Ballyverane Oscar in the Bumper.
“He jumps brilliantly and will now go for a maiden hurdle”, said Crowley’s assistant, Damien Byrne.
