No Limit to Sky’s success
They teamed up for a treble, highlighted by the victory of Sky’s The Limit in the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase to go with Tranquil Sea and Shazand earlier in the afternoon.
The two miles and a furlong looked on the sharp side for the grey Sky’s The Limit, but he overcame it under a powerful drive.
McNamara drove him ahead shortly before the last, but Lenrey was soon throwing down a big challenge.
Lenrey never threw in the towel, but Sky’s The Limit kept responding and was a hard-earned head in front at the line.
“That was a good performance, over a trip short of his best”, said O’Grady. “He will probably come back here now for the Moriarty Chase.
“We know two miles is too short, but I don’t want to step him up to three just yet. It was really nice to see him battle.
“We will avoid Cheltenham and the long-term plan is the Powers’ Gold Cup (Fairyhouse).”
Arthur Moore nominated the Arkle at Leopardstown as the next target for Lenrey.
Perce Rock, unscathed, was still in contention when falling three from home.
Tranquil Sea confirmed the promise of his first outing over flights with a smooth success in the Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle.
Partnered with patience by McNamara, the winner began to pick them up entering the final half mile.
McNamara made his move off the final bend and Tranquil Sea surged into the lead. He flew the last and had plenty left to hold Jimmy Ber.
“He could go for the Slaney Hurdle (Naas), but it may come a bit quick”, reported, O’Grady.
“We will stick him in all the good novice races. I’m not sure about his best trip, but chasing will eventually be his game.”
Cashmans offered Tranquil Sea at 25-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The O’Grady-McNamara combination was desperately unlucky with French-import Peplum in the other maiden hurdle on the programme.
Peplum looked sure to score heading to the final flight, but made little effort to get to the other side of the obstacle.
Easy-to-back favourite Taravada was still a couple of lengths down at the time and then didn’t find a great deal on the level, as he held on to beat Shouldertoshoulder by a neck.
“Andrew (Leigh) said he did nothing when left in front”, said trainer, Jessica Harrington.
“He will now be stepped up in trip and softer ground and a fast run race are what he needs.”
It is hard, though, to keep good men down and O’Grady and McNamara were on the mark as well when Shazand landed the Durkan New Homes Handicap Hurdle.
The four-year-old had this in safe keeping early in the straight and only another mishap at the last could have prevented him from doing the business.
“He has improved since being operated on for his wind”, remarked O’Grady. “Andrew said he had a hard race and didn’t have a lot left, so we will see what’s next.”
Sabrina Harty, who trains just 14 horses on the Curragh, enjoyed the biggest success of her career when Won In The Dark stormed away with the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle.
“We thought he had the best form in the race, but nobody wanted to ride him”, related a delighted Harty.
In the end she settled for Martin Mooney, who is having a good run anyway, and he proved more than adequate, driving the tail-swishing Won In The Dark clear before the the last to beat Indian Spring by three lengths.
“That is fantastic, he is so tough and genuine and loves his hurdling’, said Ms Harty. “The plan now is the Triumph Hurdle and, as he is easy to get fit, will have just one run before that.
“We went to the horses-in-training sale looking for a bumper horse and ended up giving just €1,800 for this fellow.”
William Hill and Grahams gave Won In The Dark a 25-1 quote for the Triumph Hurdle, but Boylesports were far more conservative, 16-1. Cashmans topped them all at 33-1.
The Arthur Moore-trained Kranji looks set for a sizeable hike in the weights, following his easy win in the paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Chase.
A brilliant jumper, he ran his rivals ragged from the front, scorching home six lengths clear in the hands of Niall Maddden.
“He has come on and was lucky to get his ground”, commented Moore. “He could be a Grand Annual horse on the strength of that and will definitely have his ground at Cheltenham.”
Michael O’Brien introduced an imposing newcomer in I’m Still Standing to win the Bumper in fine style.
Powered ahead off the home turn by Denis Cullen, the Exit To Nowhere gelding answered every call to beat Captain Paulie.
