Essex makes spectacular return to action
Assistant, Denis Cullen, represented O’Brien and explained the seven-year-old’s absence. “He chipped a bone in his knee and also fractured a splint bone”, said Cullen. “He has been back since the middle of January.”
Andrew Lynch produced Essex to take over from Sweet Kiln turning for home and the Sadler’s Wells gelding kept going really well to score by three lengths.
“It was always the plan to step him up to two and a half, or even three miles”, said Cullen. “It is great for the yard, we have been under a bit of a cloud. He will head to Punchestown and don’t be surprised to see him turn up in the Stayers’ Hurdle.”
Ruby Walsh began his day by guiding the 13-year-old Adamant Approach to an easy victory in the Racing Post In Ireland Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ remarkable warrior is as good, if not better, than ever and simply toyed with his rivals.
Walsh was in no hurry and Adamant Approach was only sixth heading to the home turn. But once asked to quicken he did his job in style, sweeping past the easy-to-back Sky’s The Limit heading to the last.
“I’m delighted with the way he jumped, Ruby waited all day and the horse loves to be ridden like that”, reported Mullins.
“Roll on Punchestown and Galway, we’ll give him a break until Punchestown! The flat, hurdles, chases and all ground comes the same to him.”
Mullins completed a double, this time with Davy Condon aboard, enjoying his best ever campaign, when Scotsirish easily took the ladbrokes.com Hurdle.
Walsh chose to partner Heavenly Blues, trained by his father Ted, and he was best for money in the ring from 7-2 to 5-2.
The five-year-old proved no match for the winner, however, who went on early in the straight and was four lengths too strong for Heavenly Blues, who returned with a nasty gash behind.
Commented Mullins: “He will go to Punchestown and could step up to two and a half, he wouldn’t have any trouble staying that trip.
“He jumped a bit to the left and I would like to see him jump a bit better. We bought the horse with chasing in mind and that will be his game next season.”
Tony Martin’s Siberion, clearly revelling in the ground, left some moderate efforts behind with a clear-cut victory in the Avon Ri Corporate and Leisure Resort Novice Chase.
Robbie McNally had him in a clear lead shortly after way. The grey then survived a bad blunder five out before scampering right away to beat Django.
“He’s ignorant, but can jump”, said Martin. “I thought Robbie was brilliant and the ground was a help.
“He came to me in January, with a view to going to Cheltenham, but has taken time to acclimatise. Punchestown is next.”
Supreme Being battled on powerfully to take the McGarrell Reilly Homes Handicap Hurdle for Joey Elliott and trainer, Michael Cunningham.
He blundered at the final flight, but refused to be beaten, outbattling the flattering Sizing Australia.
“He broke down badly at Galway a few years ago”, said Cunningham. “He likes this ground, but running him on it is always a worry.”
Super Gale, having a first outing since last October, absolutely bounded away with the Cawley Furniture Ltd Novice Handicap Chase.
In the care of Denise Foster, she faces a hefty hike in the weights in the future, one imagines, after cruising ahead for Robert Power between the last two fences.
