Drop in trip no problem as Our Ben sluices home
Successful over three miles at Thurles previously, Willie Mullins’ gelding showed his versatility here when returning to two miles without any bother at all.
He jumped brilliantly for David Casey and moved sweetly through the contest. Gemini Lucy and Andrew Leigh went their separate ways at the first and Central House was left in front.
Our Ben was never far away and Casey allowed him lead over the fourth last. Hi Cloy tried his case in the straight, but Our Ben had loads in the tank and had no difficulty holding his rival, scoring by three and a half lengths.
Commented Casey: “That’s the best he has ever jumped for me. He travelled great, I gave him a breather turning in and then he went away again.”
Mullins was represented by his wife, Jackie, who said: “He’s won over two miles and three miles, so we have plenty of options. Where he goes next we will leave to the boss.”
Casey and Mullins combined for a double when French import, Pomme Tiepy, outclassed the opposition in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase.
Pushed ahead before the penultimate obstacle, the four-year-old soon stretched clear to score unextended by nine lengths.
Reported Jackie Mullins: “Willie says she will stay novice chasing and David feels stepping up in trip will not be a problem.”
Noel Meade continued his fantastic run when Parsons Pistol got the best of a terrific tussle with Uncle Junior, foiling Mullins and Casey in the process, in the Grade 3 O’Connell Transport Cork Stayers’ Novice Hurdle.
Uncle Junior, available as high as 9-4 in the morning, probably ran a bit too free for his own good and was in front going to six out.
He appeared to have Parsons Pistol’s measure early in the straight, but soon began to find it hard work on the testing ground.
Parsons Pistol was quickly in contention and the pair went toe-to-toe. It appeared to be going in favour of the winner from the second last, but Uncle Junior fought back and was only a short head down at the line.
The hitherto frustrating Susan Finn-trained Baltiman got off the mark with a vengeance in the J.B.C Maiden Hurdle.
Billy Lee eased him ahead after the third and Baltiman bounded across the last three flights to easily beat Agamard.
“He wore blinkers for the first time at Gowran (third to Aranleigh) and they have made a big difference”, said Lee.
“He has a lot of ability and will make a lovely chaser.”
The Shane Broderick trained Premier Hero did his job nicely to take the O.C.W (Properties) Ltd Novice Hurdle, cruising ahead going to two out for Johnny Levins.
“That has been overdue, he’s been very consistent”, said Broderick. “Johnny gave him a super ride, he knew they were going too fast and sat. The plan now is to go to Limerick.”
Taradoun may have only won the Mallow Handicap Hurdle by three parts of a length, but it was a success which was ridiculously easy.
He was cantering all over his rivals all the way up the straight and, despite being none too clever at the final flight, Martin Mooney was still able to sit virtually motionless in the closing stages.
Adrian Maguire’s ex-winning pointer, Let Yourself Go, ran away with the Bumper, after Colman Sweeney had sent him about his business well over two furlongs down.
Cashmans gave the Zaffaran gelding a 25-1 quote for the Cheltenham Festival Bumper.
