On–song Concerto heads to Cheltenham with all guns blazing
The complexion of the contest changed at the second last when Leading Run, who had constantly jumped to his right, was particularly bad at the flight.
He did neither Catch Me or Arrive Sir Clive any favours and Catch Me blundered and parted company with Barry Geraghty.
Indeed, it wasn't the most intelligent of moves by Geraghty to challenge on the outside of a horse who was behaving in such a manner.
Paul Carberry, cleverly, reined back on the winner before the hurdle and then nipped away up the inside to settle the race almost immediately.
Leading Run tried to rally in the straight, but Carberry only had to ask for the minimum to score by a comfortable three lengths.
The layers were unanimous in shortening this imposing gelding for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham
Cashmans and Paddy Power went 11-4, from 3-1, but others were more impressed. Ladbrokes offered 5-2, William Hill 9-4 and Boylesports and Grahams just 2-1.
“He did what I expected him to do”, said trainer, Noel Meade. “He didn't beat a dummy in Leading Run (stable companion).
“You all know what I think of this horse. I believe he's exceptional, with gears and stamina. He will go to Cheltenham now and more than likely it will be for the two miles and five race (Ballymore).”
Last year Nicanor won that contest for Meade and, though he wouldn't be entirely drawn on making comparisons between them, there's little doubt which he regards (Aran Concerto) as the better horse!
Trainer, Davy Fitzgerald, enjoyed his first ever Grade 1 victory when Conor O'Dwyer gave Mister Top Notch a polished drive to spring a 14-1 surprise in the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
The eight-year-old had never won over fences prior to this and it was some way to break his duck, in what was a grief-stricken affair.
O'Dwyer made his move early in the straight and the only danger was removed when the challenging Alexander Taipan fell at the final fence.
“I'm not surprised”, exclaimed Fitzgerald. “People were giving out to me for not winning a beginners chase first.
“But if he didn't win today, he could always have stayed a novice for next season. He hasn't been given an entry at Cheltenham, so it will be Aintree and Punchestown for him.”
Strongly-fancied Knight Legend blundered and got rid of Barry Geraghty at the third.
Bookmakers began their day with a decent result when John Murphy's Convincing showed all the right qualities to take the Cashmans' Juvenile Hurdle.
All his previous wins had come when travelling right-handed, but he showed here he is just as good in this direction.
Given a strong drive by Eddie Power, Convincing was waited with as odds-on Island Life tried to make all.
Noel Meade's inmate was desperately disappointing, however, finding little when taken on by the winner and Financial Reward.
Convincing jumped the final flight marginally better than Financial Reward and slogged it out on the flat to score by a hard-earned neck.
Commented Murphy: “He's lazy, Eddie said he had plenty left. He's very, very tough and will now head to the Triumph Hurdle.”
Power was found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and suspended for seven days. He was also ordered to attend RACE for two days tuition.
Paddy Power go 33-1 Convincing for the Triumph, from 50-1, with Boylesports trimming him from 50-1 to 20's. Cashmans introduced Convincing at 33-1
Meade was making no excuses for Island Life. “I'd say that's as a good as he is”, remarked the trainer, realistically.
Another very much Cheltenham-bound is last year's Foxhunters hero Whyso Mayo, who is on the trail of that prize again, following his relatively easy success in the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase.
Guided round towards the outside by Damien Murphy, he stormed away from the back of the final fence to score by an impressive 11 lengths.
“It will be straight across for him now”, reported trainer, Raymond Hurley. “He's been doing everything right at home and it was great the way he galloped away from the last.”
Cashmans now have Whyso Mayo the clear 3-1 favourite for the Foxhunters.
Eric McNamara, fresh from three successes last weekend, struck again when Pearl's A Singer won her third race of the campaign, the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.
She was brought with a sweeping challenge by Brian Byrnes in the closing stages and was well in control on the level.
“She's been very consistent and is a good, tough genuine mare,” reported McNamara. “Another handicap will probably be next.”
