Our Ben back on winning trail but unlikely to take up Lexus option
Afistfullofdollas was returning from a two year break, but was well supported in the market against the favourite.
Noel Meade’s charge ran a cracker, but began to tire early in the straight and front-running Our Ben, partnered by David Casey, was much the stronger between the final two fences.
Commented Mullins: “He’s in the Lexus (Leopardstown), but I’ll be looking for something easier. David thinks there’s improvement to come, so I was delighted to hear that.”
Mullins confirmed that Glencove Marina will begin his campaign in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
“He worked well this morning and the likelihood is that David will ride him”, said Mullins.
He had an upbeat bulletin on another possible stable star, Alexander Taipan. “He’s fit and well and ready to go”, said the trainer. “He could start in the John Durkan (Punchestown), but I would prefer him to have his first run in a lesser race.”
Mullins and Casey were on the mark again when Sonnium made a successful debut over flights in the Holycross three-year-old Hurdle.
Casey was seen to real advantage, driving his charge past the flattering Amidreamin between the last two flights to score by three lengths.
“He will probably go to Leopardstown for the big three-year-old hurdle at Christmas”, reported Mullins.
“I don’t know if he’ll run in the meantime, but loves the ground and stays well. He should improve as the season goes on.”
Cashmans gave Sonnium a 33-1 quote for Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle.
Noel Meade’s Judge Deed, frustrating over flights last season, got off the mark at the first time of asking this campaign when landing the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.
Backed from 13-8 to 11-10, he eased ahead shortly after two out for Paul Carberry. The imposing gelding soon had to be bustled along, however, to beat Coolcashin well enough in the end.
“I am delighted to win over hurdles with him and it will be straight over fences now”, said Meade. “You will likely see him again in about two weeks.”
Albanov made it third time lucky over fences when taking the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase by eight lengths.
His jumping was a trifle sketchy at times and you could hardly describe this as an impressive performance.
Barry Geraghty allowed Albanov stride on over five out and didn’t have to be in any way hard on him in the clsoing stages to beat Green Black.
Said trainer, Jessica Harrington: “It took him time to warm up, he’s flat bred. He will now go for a winners’ of one somewhere.”
The Rock Of Cashel Hurdle was a smashing contest with Earth Magic and Uncle Junior dead-heating in a thriller.
The pair went toe-to-toe from the last and flashed across the line locked together. A stewards’ inquiry was then called, but that didn’t take long and the result was allowed to stand.
The relatively inexperienced Uncle Junior, giving Willie Mullins and David Casey a treble of sorts, emerged from the contest with reputation greatly enhanced, but chances are Earth Magic should have grabbed all the spoils. His rider, Tom Doyle lost his whip turning in.
Doyle landed a double when Willoughby Joe came from well off the pace to get up close home and win the Munster Handicap Hurdle for the Liz Doyle yard at 20-1.
Eric McNamara’s Spring Vision redeemed the promise of a recent effort at Naas when justifying 5-1 favouritism in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Beautifully handled by Kevin Coleman, the mare was produced to pounce at the last to easily beat Sportivo.
