McConnell celebrates his Curragh move with winner
Partnered by 19-year-old Shane Hassett, Coolnaharan got a smashing run up the inside after the last to collar the flattering Charming Hymn.
McConnell has held a licence for three years and this was his seventh winner. He said: “I’ve moved down to the Curragh to give the training a good go. “I have 14 horses in at the moment, but that will increase to 25 next month. This horse is a brilliant jumper and is going to make a chaser.
“He wants good ground and might head to Cheltenham for the November meeting, if sneaking into one of the races.”
Tony Martin’s Charminamix proved a huge disappointment. Backed from 2-1 to 5-4, he was struggling before the home turn and could only stay on one-paced without ever threatening to get in a real blow.
Megans Joy completed a fine four-timer with a bloodless success in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle. Her only realistic rival, Conor’s Secret, ran no sort of race and Megans Joy cruised ahead well before three out to score hard held. Said trainer, Colm Murphy: “I’m delighted with the way she jumped, she was very novicey the last day (Navan). She hasn’t stopped improving, but I’m not sure what will be next.”
The Noel Meade-Paul Carberry bandwagon continued on its merry winning way when Crooked Street got the best of a desperate three-way tussle for the Alchemy Properties Maiden Hurdle.
Crooked Street went on off the home turn, but was all out in the closing stages to hold Hucklebuck and Marseillais by a short head and the same.
It was a decent effort on the part of the winner, considering this was his first venture over jumps. He is owned by the 16-member No Rush Man Syndicate from Co Louth.
The duo were on the mark again when Mr Robert proved too good for market-leader, Monty Mint, in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Chase.
This was a dynamic display by Carberry, who is currently riding better than ever. He literally fired Mr Robert, a faller earlier in the week at Punchestown, at every fence and Monty Mint just couldn’t reel him in up the straight.
Speaking from the Curragh, Meade indicated that Mr Robert would continue in novice company as long as the surface remains on the good side.
Pom Flyer was all the rage in the ring for the Alchemy Properties Handciap Chase, finding 11-10 from 2-1.
He’s a horse, however, who often doesn’t find much off the bridle and was given little respite in a contest run at a strong pace.
Dbest made a lot of the running and found plenty for John Cullen driving to shake off Pom Flyer heading to the final fence.
In contrast to Pom Flyer, Zanderi landed some good wagers in the Alchemy Properties Cork Handicap Hurdle for the Paul Nolan yard.
He had plenty to do at the last, behind Atelios and Frontier Lady, but found a smashing turn of foot for Alain Cawley to sweep past both of them.
Nolan was represented by his brother, James, who said: “That was a very good ride, it worked out as we planned.
“The Leopardstown November Handicap is a likely option, otherwise he will go to Cheltenham for another handicap hurdle.”
Dusty Sheehy’s well-touted Trafford Lad had to receive the full Nina Carberry treatment to get the best of a protracted duel with Canndar and Pauline Ryan over the final three furlongs of the Bumper, the verdict a head.
Said Sheehy: “He will improve a lot, he wasn’t fully wound up. It will be straight over hurdles now and chasing will be his game.”
Three jockeys were in the wars through the course of the afternoon, with Denis Hogan breaking his collar-bone. David Casey and Davy Russell were stood down for the day after suffering a chest and shoulder injury respectively.
