Clopf as low as 16/1 for Champion Hurdle despite workmanlike win
He certainly looked in real trouble approaching the straight, as trail-blazing Rindoon continued to scorch away in front. But they had gone very fast and, one supposes, it was inevitable the pace had to slacken at some stage.
Gradually, Clopf began to close, was right in the mix at the last and then forged away on the level to beat Rindoon a length and a half.
Rindoon was subsequently disqualified and placed third, having been found guilty of taking Holly Tree’s ground going to the final flight.
Edward O’Grady said of Clopf: “I’m thrilled with the resolution he showed, he really battled. I think he’s a better horse than he showed today. He was a little ring-rusty going to the second last.”
The six-year-old had, at one stage, been favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but didn’t make the Festival. “He was a bit stiff behind”, explained O’Grady.
He is now finished for the season and his trainer sees him as a possible Champion Hurdle candidate.
William Hill make Clopf a 25-1 shot, Cashmans go 20’s, while Boylesports are a tight looking 16-1.
Cheltenham hero Ebaziyan ran no sort of race, trailing throughout and eventually taking eighth of the eight finishers. De Valira, a strong order in the market, was tracking the leaders when parting company with Andrew Lynch at the fourth last.
Aces Four, a heavily-backed favourite, cost punters a bundle when suffering a crashing fall at the final fence in the Ellier Developments’ Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase.
He turned in a smashing round of jumping and had shaken off the persistent challenge of Offshore Account, he was a couple of lengths to the good, when disaster struck.
Fortunately, Aces Four was largely unscathed, although looking particularly sorry for himself as he was led away.
Aces Four’s departure left the way clear for Offshore Account to beat Knight Legend by 11 lengths.
“He must be a classy horse to win on that ground”, said Charlie Swan of Offshore Account.
“He jumps and stays and is definitely finished for the season.
“He was done for his wind at the end of last year and has gone from strength to strength over fences.”
The Noel Glynn-trained former pointer Gonebeyondrecall, 6-1 to 3-1 favourite, lived up to his name with a clear-cut success in the Goffs’ Land Rover Bumper.
Powered ahead turning in by Derek O’Connor, he sprinted clear to score by nine lengths.
“He’s not for sale, I wouldn’t let him go for a million”, exclaimed Glynn. “I don’t know where all the money for him came, I was expecting 14-1! We think he’s a special horse and it will be out on grass now and back for Listowel.”
Barry Geraghty, on the mark aboard Clopf, completed a 40-1 double when taking the Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle on Peter Casey’s Charlies First.
It was vintage Geraghty, coming with a sweeping late surge to collar the flattering On The Net close home to score by half a length.
Casey said: “He’s a hard horse to train. He was very stiff yesterday morning, but in good form today.”
Davy Condon, who took a fall from Streetshavenoname, suffered concussion and was stood down for 21 days. He was also removed to Naas for X-rays on his back.
Willis Wilde, in front at the second last, was all out close home to hold the flying late run of Torrid Kentavr in the Gain Feeds Handicap Chase.
Logans Run redeemed the promise of his debut second at Cork when storming ahead over a furlong down to take the Murphy International Bumper for Adrian Joyce and Joe Crowley.
* The attendance yesterday was 17,974, up from 15,557 for the corresponding day a year ago.
