Mansony rises to challenge
Despite a tendency to jump to his right, he did the business in fine style, under a canny Davy Russell drive.
“He did jump to his right, but is so slick it wasn’t a big deal,” reported Russell. “We wanted a real gallop and it worked out, he idled in front.”
Mansony was always tracking the pace set by Central House, before Russell eased him ahead approaching the home turn.
The eight-year-old had the contest in safe keeping going to the final fence, but again went markedly right and had to be bustled along on the flat to hold Nickname by a length.
Said Moore: “He is better going right-handed, but everything went perfectly and he will now head for the Victor Chandler (Ascot).
“We will have to take on Twist Magic and whatever at Ascot, but are looking forward to it. Ascot will tell us what to do after that. He will probably go to Cheltenham and, obviously, Punchestown.”
Nickname, ridden out the back, stayed on stoutly and will surely come on a bundle for this much needed first outing of the campaign.
William Hill and Boylesports tightened Mansony to 14-1, from 20’s, for the Champion Chase. Nickname is a 14-1 shot.
Ado McGuinness’s Beau Michael won the paddypowerbingo.com three-year-old Hurdle doing handstands for Russell.
He made every yard of the running and only had to be pushed out hands and heels to score unextended by three and a half lengths.
Commented McGuiness: “We cut him in August and he was disappointing afterwards, it took a while to get going.
“He will probably head for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham and is likely to have one run before that.”
Conor O’Dwyer has never hidden his admiration for Whatuthink and the pilot was totally vindicated when Oliver McKiernan’s charge trounced his rivals in the paddypower.com Future Champions’ Novice Hurdle.
All the evidence was that this two miles was way short of his best, but good horses can make light of such matters.
Whatuthink made every yard of the running and refused to wilt in the straight when the talented Forpadydeplasterer tried to close him down.
“I would have to say that is slightly unexpected,” said McKiernan. “The trip was on the short side and the ground on the fast side, at least for him.
“He has had a touch of sore shins all year and only came right three weeks ago. He loves racing and is easy to train. He will probably come back here for the Deloitte Hurdle.
“We will see about Cheltenham, I wouldn’t be the instigator of him going there. The ground is likely to be gone by then!”
James Leavy’s Sophocles, runner-up to Cork All Star in the Cheltenham Bumper, got off the mark over flights in the paddypowerpoker.com Maiden Hurdle.
It was hard-earned, however, owing much to the guile and strength of David Casey, who powered him ahead going to the last.
Said Leavy: “I’m delighted to get that out of the way. He had a good run at Gowran, he was novicey early on, but got better as they went faster.
“What he lacks in scope, he makes up in heart and, like every other National Hunt trainer, we are training him with March in mind. He will come back here in February for the Deloitte Hurdle.”
Both William Hill and Grahams go 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but Cashmans slashed him from 40-1 to 20’s. Sophocles is 16-1 with Boylesports.
Newbay Prop, who ran deplorably at Fairyhouse previously, won the biggest prize of the week for Tony Martin, the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.
He flashed through between horses late to beat Sound Witness, on the pace throughout and who carried 3lbs overweight, and No Full.
Newbay Prop was to have been partnered by Robbie Colgan, but he broke his jaw at Down Royal on Wednesday. Ross Geraghty, enjoying his first success of the season, proved an able deputy.
“I thought the ground was gone against him, that it was too fast,” said Martin. “I don’t know what happended the last day, you just have to put a line through it.
“He’s still a young horse and could go for races like the English and Welsh Nationals in the future. Robbie rides out four mornings a week for me and I’m very sorry for him.”
The stewards inquired into the apparent improvement in form of Newbay Prop and accepted the explanations offered.
Robert Power took a bad fall from Chelsea Harbour at the first, but escaped relatively lightly with lacerations to his chin and pain in his right elbow. He was removed to hospital for X-rays and stood down for 21 days with concussion.
Shay Barry, who rode Sound Witness, was suspended for four days, having been found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency.
Edward O’Grady took his total for the Festival to four when Rocco’s Hall and James King beat Oscar Looby and Nina Carberry a short head in the Bumper, after the duo had a real battle through the last furlong.
Said O’Grady: “He is a nice stying type, who will make a chaser, but will now go over hurdles.”
Willie Mullins struck for the first time this week when Share Option quickened past hot-pot Offshore Account from the last in the paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Hurdle.
