Mossbank steps up in class in spectacular style
This was a breathtaking display by the seven-year-old, who has long been held in very high regard by his trainer, Michael Hourigan.
The Kadeed gelding, carrying the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, was giving his handler a sixth success in the contest, having won it before with Beef Or Salmon and on four occasions with Dorans Pride.
Rider, Davy Russell, was suitably impressed. Said Russell: “He didn’t even know he had a race. I knew he’d pick up, but the way he did astonished me.”
Jim tried to make all the running, but over the third last it was Knight Legend who hit the front.
Knight Legend, who made a near-disastrous blunder at the first, had no answer, however, to Mossbank, once Russell asked him to lead two out.
Mossbank soon quickened away in the style of a high-class horse, crossing the line eight lengths clear.
Said Hourigan: “It is great to see that, I thought so much of him earlier on. I don’t know what will be next and will talk to Mr O’Leary first before making any plans.”
Favourite, Justified, performed dismally. All his old failings returned, he repeatedly jumped to the left and made a couple of mistakes as well.
Dusty Sheehy’s charge was struggling early on the final circuit, trailing in last of the eight finishers. Jim, who took seventh, subsequently collapsed and died.
Gazza’s Girl, under a powerful Barry Geraghty drive, made a successful seasonal debut in the EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase.
She had to dig deep to finally get to grips with Emma Jane, wearing her opponent down in the last fifty yards to score by half a length.
Reported trainer, Jessica Harrington: “She was ring-rusty, but Barry was delighted. I don’t know where she will go next, but will probably step up to three miles.”
Uncle Junior toyed with his only serious rival, The Dotted Line, in the Maurice F Dougan EBF Novice Hurdle.
A change of tactics were tried on The Dotted Line and he attempted to make all the running. But it made no difference and he showed little enthusiasm once Uncle Junior cruised past going to two out.
Commented trainer, Willie Mullins: “He’s not the greatest jumper in the world, but has got his own technique. We will keep going with him in races from two and a half to three miles.”
Mullins completed a double when newcomer Itsmylife justified favouritism in the Bumper, under his son, Patrick.
The daughter of Bob Back got on top of Milltown Boss inside the furlong pole to score going away by three and a half lengths. The runner-up, however, broke down badly in the closing stages.
Said Mullins: “She will go for a winners’ bumper now and is one to look forward to on the evidence of that.”
Australian jockey Brad McLean, on his second visit to this country, rode his first winner when taking the Betfair Handicap Hurdle on 16-1 shot Barker.
He produced him with impeccable timing to lead two out and easily beat Orange Touch. “This is a terrific track, it’s a bit different to the flat ones at home”, reported the 22-year-old. Barker was a second success for his Navan, Co Meath handler, James Barrett.
Azamour’s half-brother Ardalan was hardly bred with jumping in mind, but Paul Nolan’s gelding buckled down admirably to hold fast-finishing A New Story in the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle.
“We gave him a little break after he disappointed in testing conditions at Tralee”, said Nolan. “He’s a small horse, but will jump a fence.”.
