Farmer Brown (and punters) make hay in Galway Hurdle
In doing so he gave trainer, Pat Hughes, his second win in the contest, he scored with Quinze in 1999, and brilliant pilot, Davy Russell, his first.
“He won so easily he reminded me of Quinze”, exclaimed Hughes, after his charge had cost the layers a bundle, backed from 6-1 to 9-2 favourite.
The Bob Back gelding travelled supremely well, as Wishwillow Lord and Loyal Focus carried them along.
Loyal Focus was in front going to two out, but Russell, riding right at the top of his game, now had Farmer Brown poised to strike in behind the leaders.
Coming away from the second last, Farmer Brown simply exploded into action. Majestically, he faced the hill, bounding ahead just before the home turn.
Russell had timed it to perfection and it was over bar a fall at the final flight. Farmer Brown flicked across the obstacle in style and the staying on Freeloader could never mount any sort of challenge.
Said Hughes: “From day one this has been a good horse, I just couldn’t get him right for eighteen months.
“Davy gave him a wonderful ride. He knows the horse well and I didn’t give him any instructions.
“After he won at Killarney back in May, I gave the horse a break of three weeks and two days and then began to prepare for today.
“He was only in three weeks before finishing second on the flat at Leopardstown. He had only one gallop since Leopardstown and didn’t work well, but came right today.
“He can often get upset in the parade ring, but just went round once and then out onto the track. I told the lads they could go and back him then.
“I could give him a couple of months break now and would imagine he will be capable of winning his maiden on the flat.
“He’s a tall horse and very sensible and should be capable of jumping a fence in time.”
William Hill gave Farmer Brown a 40-1 quote for the Champion Hurdle.
Commented Russell, having only his second ever ride in the Hurdle: “Pat and the owners were bursting with confidence.
“He had a lovely preparation and from the time I sat on him in the parade ring everything went right.
“All we wanted was a clear run and he jumped super and travelled great. He went at the hill like a tiger.”
The rapidly improving Field Commander completed a hat-trick of successes with a fine display in the St James’ Gate Novice Hurdle under another superb Russell drive.
He had to concede weight all round and this was far and away the best display by the Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old.
Russell sent him to the front over two out and Field Commander found plenty for pressure to hold Jadanli by a snug length and a quarter.
“He’s a proper horse and you haven’t seen the best of him yet”, said trainer, Michael Hourigan.
“We will keep going until the ground changes and he should make a nice horse in the spring.”
The victory of Coin Man in the Guinness Beginners Chase owned much to the perseverance of rider, Shay Barry.
The winner didn’t travel particularly well through the contest, but Barry never gave up, constantly pushing and cajoling along.
When Knuckahaduve winged the second last and quickly stretched on, the contest looked to be over. But the hill found him out and Coin Man gradually closed and then led close home.
Said trainer, Eoin Doyle: “I thought the ground had gone against him. He’s been working well for the last week or two and will probably now go for a handicap.”
Unlucky horse of the contest was Reisk Superman, who was moving ominously well on the heels of the leaders when brought down five out.
Liam Burke, fresh from his memorable success with Sir Frederick in the Plate on Wednesday, was back in the winner’s enclosure following the easy win of Prairie Moonlight in the Guinness Novice Chase.
She came absolutely cantering in behind Smuggler’s Song approaching the straight and there was only going to be one result once Paddy Flood asked her to quicken.
Said Burke: “She’s a good mare, but hard to train. Obviously, she is far better over fences than hurdles and will probably run again in about six weeks time in another novice race.”
Dermot Weld took his tally for the week to four when champion-elect Pat Smullen literally lifted In A Rush home in front of the Kieren Fallon partnered Perfect Memory in the Guinness and Oysters EBF Fillies Handicap.
“The fast pace suited and that was a great strong drive from Pat”, remarked Weld.
Eight Up, given a strong drive by Colm O’Donoghue, got the best of a tough tussle with Mine’sasmallone in the Guinness Surge Handicap.
“That’s what you call pressure, training for the in-laws”, quipped trainer, Eddie Harty.
Grand National winning-trainer, Gordon Elliott, saddled heavily-backed Recovery Man to take the Bumper.
Powered into the lead by Nina Carberry down in the dip, Recovery Man surged away to score by 15 lengths.
“Jumping will be his game, the further he goes the better he is”, reported Elliott.
Seamus Heffernan got a dream run up the inside near the line to grab the Arthur Guinness Handicap on the James Leavy-trained Shayrazan.
The attendance was a massive 46,637, although down marginally on a year ago (48,120). The Tote set a new course and national record of €2,071,682, up from €1,788,246 twelve months earlier. The bookmakers held €4,411,408, against €4,482,133 last year.
