Pint-sized Sesenta shows all the right qualities
Favourite Lilanda came from behind to edge to the front off the home turn, but Seamus Heffernan soon had the winner upsides.
Sesenta then showed much the greater resolution to beat her rival a hard fought half a length, with Her Courtesy finishing strongly for third.
Commented trainer, Willie Mullins: “She’s very small and it has taken me all season to get her right.
“But she is on the upgrade and we might get another turn out of her. Whether she will jump a hurdle or not, I don’t know.”
Sesenta is owned by Dungarvan businessman, Michael Carroll.
Mullins was desperately unlucky not to complete a double with Final Alert in the Graun Hill Handicap Hurdle.
A big morning-price touch from 4-1 and very well backed on track as well, he was left, along with Deedeetee, all of twenty lengths at the start.
Final Alert essentially faced an impossible task after that and did exceptionally well to claim second spot.
Tom Doyle pushed Monahullan Prince into the lead going to two out and Final Alert, hard as he tried, could never bridge the gap.
The stewards inquired into the mess and concluded that Joe Banahan had effected a fair start, but in hindsight, due to a breakdown in communications, it was less than ideal. They took no further action.
Ruby Walsh was aboard Final Alert and he enjoyed better luck when Philip Rothwell continued his good run with Boleybawn Quikstar in the Maiden Hurdle.
Supported from a little 6-4 to evens, he won in good style, under an aggressive and forceful Walsh drive.
The former pointer made most of the running, finding plenty for pressure to resist the flattering Arasaris heading to the final flight.
Said Rothwell: “That was an average race, but it is great to win, the owners had a right few quid on.
“My brother, Ronan, trained him to win his point and he still does most of the work with the horse.”
It was entirely appropriate that Thomond O’Mara’s Hucklebuck should enjoy a first ever success in Co Waterford when taking the mile and a half handicap.
The four-year-old was driven out by Wayne Lordan to beat Backsideup with gambled-on May Tobin well held in fifth.
Said O’Mara: “We gelded him half-way through the year and it’s taken him time to come right. He has done plenty of schooling over hurdles.”
Roger McGrath’s Description and Nina Carberry combined to take the Lisselan Ladies Bumper.
Successful in a point-to-point at Lingstown, he was disappointing on his racecourse debut at Killarney in July, but was back on track here.
Partnered with typical Carberry confidence, Description got to the front two furlongs down and was always holding a rather reluctant looking Hu Ha Jo, who was heavily backed in the ring.
Sister Phoebe, trained by Adrian Maguire, put up a gutsy display to win the Newtown Handicap Chase.
She tried to make all, but the game seemed to be up when Moody Lad swept past coming away from three out.
But Davy Rusell just wouldn’t accept defeat, got a renewed effort from the mare and she answered the call to rally back in front after the final fence.
