Royal Rhythm hits right note to dismiss hot–pot
The winner made the running, until Ruby Walsh sent Salt Lake ahead before half way. Eddie Power, this was his 17th success, sat unperturbed and waited until the approach to the straight before renewing his challenge.
In front going to the flight, Royal Rhythm eased clear to score unextended by ten lengths.
Said Power: “He jumps great and will make a nice novice for the summer. I knew Salt Lake wouldn’t stay and that’s why I went on. When he took over in front, I was quite happy.”
Gerry Cully has the Galway Plate mapped out for Arc En Ciel, following his hard-earned victory in the Nutec EBF Beginners Chase.
Ruby Walsh, riding a horse for Cully for the first time, had to give the seven-year-old the full treatment.
Anyportinastorm led going to the third last and turned down hill to the home turn looking sure to score.
Walsh was now in full flow, however, and as the leader’s stride began to shorten, Arc En Ciel got stronger and stronger.
By two out the world had changed, as Arc En Ciel powered ahead to win going away by five and a half lengths.
“Ruby said the Plate or the Kerry National would be suitable races for him”, reported Cully. “He may have a run on the flat or over hurdles prior to that.
“I am delighted for my owner (Kevin Murphy, from Dunmanway). My horses have been sick for the last six months and a lot of my local owners just ran away!”
A tasty gamble was landed by Charlie Swan’s Shanahan, 7-2 to 7-4, in the moderate Patrickswell GAA Raceday Maiden Hurdle.
Sent about his business going out into the country for the final time by David Casey, Shanahan found enough in the closing stages to hold Karen Mag and Salford City.
“He’s a half-brother to Hi Cloy”, said Swan. “He’s in the sales at Doncaster and will probably go there. He will win plenty of races in England and make a better chaser.”
Swan was on the mark for an almost 57-1 double when Prince Noora took the second division of the U-Bet Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered by Leonard Flynn, Prince Noora outbattled the trail-blazing Eight Fifty Six in the closing stages.
“He is a half-brother to Footy Facts”, said Swan, almost ruefully. “I sold Footy Facts and decided to keep him!”
Phelans Fancy landed a good touch in the second division of the same contest, finding 5-2 favourite from early offers of 6-1.
Trained and ridden by Mikey O’Connor from Liscarroll, the mare was sent on with just under a circuit to travel.
She gradually wound it up and refused to wilt from the last, as Back And Fifth tried to close.
Commented O’Connor: “She will proably stay hurdling, she’s a bit high in the handicap over fences.”
O’Connor completed his first ever double as a rider when taking the Mr Binman Hunters Chase on the Michael Winters-trained Optimistic Run.
The winner and Glenduff Bridge were the principals in the market and it was the same scenario on track, with Optimistic Run showing much the greater resolution from two out.
Said Winters: “He loves that ground and will now go for a winners’ of one at Tralee.”
Conscript, returned at 10-1, but over 23-1 on the Tote, and Davy Russell made all to land the Irish Open and Adare Manor Handicap Hurdle.
Conscript blundered badly at the final flight and Russell did extraordinarily well to keep the partnership intact.
Second spot went to Lygos, a major morning-price gamble. The 5-1 co-favourite of three was taken at 16-1 when the offices opened.
Joe Crowley’s newcomer Seamies Dream and Corky Carroll battled on well to beat Maal in the Bumper.
