Kingsmaster lands gamble in smooth style
Trained by Lar Byrne at Clonroche, Co Wexford, Kingsmaster was backed from 7-2 to 9-4 favourite.
He made every yard of the running, scampering clear from the second last to take Russell’s tally for the season to 42. He now leads the champion, Ruby Walsh, by seven.
Commented Byrne: “This fellow will be the death of me! I bought him for the owners, but he has been done for his wind twice.
“He’s a good horse, has only been in three and a half weeks and will now go for a winners’ of one.”
Philip Enright had a welcome turn when powering De Courcey Sunrise to victory in the Irish Daily Star Handicap Chase.
Trained by Thomas O’Leary and carrying the colours of the 16-member Ballinspittle-based De Courcey Racing Club, the winner swept ahead between the final two fences to beat Darc Leader.
“I’m glad we claimed 7lbs, Philip was perfect, brilliant”, exclaimed O’Leary. “He’s in again at Tralee on Thursday and that’s a possibility.”
The Michael Hourigan-trained Timely Prospect, under an enterprising Nina Carberry drive, took the Dawn Meats Maiden Hurdle.
Carberry made her move heading to three out and Timely Prospect responded well to shoot ahead and beat Laggan Bay.
Commented Hourigan: “She’s threatened a few times to win a race and has done it today, thanks be to God. Tralee will be next, over fences.”
Alain Cawley enjoyed the tenth success of his career with a fine effort aboard Vale Of Avocia in the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Mighty Star edged ahead coming away from three out, but Cawley produced the winner with perfect timing to grab a narrow advantage at the last and she stayed on well on the flat.
Wexford handler, William Codd, said: “I only have her four months and thought the track might be a bit sharp. Listowel is the plan.”
Liscooney, fifth behind Salt Lake here on Friday night over flights, turned out again and took the Sweep Garage Fiat-Alpha Romeo Chase.
Given a delightful drive by Denis O’Regan, Liscooney collared the flattering Arc En Ciel at the final fence and then forged to the front on the run in to score by a hard-earned half a length.
“He had gone clever and cowardly over fences and that’s why we ran him over hurdles”, revealed trainer, David Kiely. “He got a great ride.”
Silent Jo, who performed with some promise at Ballinrobe previously, landed the Bank Of Ireland Beginners Chase.
He had already taken the measure of Rocsilver when that one crashed at the last and in-form Roger Loughran only had to push out Silent Jo to score by eight lengths.
Matthew O’Connor, who sprang to prominence when grabbing the GPT Handicap at Galway on Loyal Focus, rode his third winner on Lucys Mate in the Bumper.
Colm Murphy’s mare got a dream run through on the inside off the turn in and soon eased clear of Anothercrossmammy.
