Mangan has Plate in his sights with Conna Castle
His Conna Castle, struggling to find his best form over fences, struck with a vengeance at Killarney last night, cruising to victory in the Kenmare Timber Homes Novice Chase.
He gave a brilliant exhibition of jumping, except for getting it all wrong at the final fence. Davy Russell hunted him round behind, until moving Conna Castle into fourth approaching the home turn.
The stylish eight-year-old cruised ahead away from three out and, despite that last fence scare, scored with his head in his chest.
“That’s more like it”, exclaimed Mangan.
“Unfortunately, it looks as if Davy won’t be able to ride him in the Plate.”
Conna Castle has been allocated 10-1 in the Ballybrit feature. One presumes handicapper, Noel O’Brien, will not give him a penalty for this, on the basis he did no more than might have been expected.
Russell certainly won’t be able to do 10-1, but confirmed his anxiety to stay with the horse. “I will do 10-5 comfortably and 10-4 if I have to”, he said.
“You never know what might happen between now and then, but having looked at the entries he is definitely the one I want to ride. He will be even better travelling right-handed.”
On being informed of Russell’s sentiments, Managan said: “That’s music to my ears. I don’t like change and would consider letting Davy ride at 10-4.”
Plate sponsors, William Hill, shortened Conna Castle to 14-1 from 20’s. Ladbrokes left him at 20-1.
Pat Lacey, who has ten horses in his care at Asdee, near Listowel, reported that he hadn’t had a winner for “six or seven years”, after his Mexican had landed the John Buckley Auctioneers’ Killarney Handicap Chase.
Mexican had been running well on the level and was well in control for Shane Hassett from the last.
“He has been working on the beach and that has sweetened him up”, said Lacey.
Green Mile, so unlucky at Downpatrick previously when a loose horse knocked Ruby Walsh out of the saddle, made no mistake in the Londis Handicap Hurdle.
Walsh, typically, was in no hurry but gradually worked Tony Martin’s gelding into the contest. Green Mile was in front coming away from two out and Walsh hardly had to move a muscle in the closing stages as the five-year-old eased clear.
Bookmakers were left to count the cost after Copper Bell had easily landed the four-runner Mick Cronin Race.
All the evens, and shorter prices as well, went in the morning and he was backed from 4-6 to 1-2 on track.
In truth, Declan McDonogh’s mount never gave supporters any cause for concern, making all to beat Keep It Cool by four and a half lengths.
Dermot Weld’s Moon Mix was all the rage for the Kielys’ Electrical Stores Race and the wagers looked in reasonably safe keeping when he grabbed a decent advantage early in the straight.
But Moon Mix soon began to run up and down on the one spot and Rekaab swept past in the hands of Kevin Manning to shoot clear of Melody Star.
A mile and six conditions race at Galway on the Friday night is the target for Martin Brassil’s In The Wings gelding.
Chris Hayes rode a powerful finish to take the Robin Parke Memorial Handicap on Kilmannin, who got up close home to beat Famous Seamus, in a heat in which less than a length covered the first four home.
Harry Rogers, enjoying a terrific campaign, trains Famous Seamus, and he completed a double when Mooretown Lady finally got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
She has a high head carriage and Willie Supple did well to produce her with impeccable timing to beat Killinan.
Mooretown Lady clearly took the second’s ground close home, but the stewards, in their wisdom, decided no inquiry was necessary.
The daughter of Montjeu now heads for the Tote Mile Handicap a Galway, a race which was formerly known as the McDonogh Handicap.
