Grand National on agenda for Snowy Morning
The only ride of the day for Ruby Walsh, Snowy Morning made every yard of the running to justify 8/13 favouritism in the attheraces.com Free Video Form Hurdle, following-up a recent hurdle win at Fairyhouse.
Despite idling in front, Snowy Morning always had too much in reserve to beat Vic Venturi by three lengths, prompting Willie Mullins to admit that he was “happy with that.”
Mullins added: “I suppose the form horses didn’t run up to scratch. But he won well and I’ll try to find another similar race for him before he goes back over fences,” before confirming that he has the Aintree Grand National in mind for both this seven-year-old, which is owned by the Wexford-based Quayside Syndicate, and recent Limerick winner Alexander Taipan.
The Mullins double was completed when the trainer’s son Patrick guided C’est Ca to an impressive all-the-way win in the Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Punchestown 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle, slamming favourite Gay Sloane by seventeen lengths. Mullins declared: “He’s improved immensely from his run at Galway. He was disappointing on the flat but is a different horse with a few hurdles in front of him. On the evidence of that performance, he could be bound for the top.
“I own him myself and, if I still own him come Cheltenham time, Patrick will ride him in the ‘Triumph’”, a race for which Cashmans gave the Groom Dancer gelding a 33/1 quote.
Meanwhile, C’est ca is likely to return to Punchestown for a Grade 3 later this month.
Mullins’ brother Tony, currently recuperating from an operation on his back, was also successful winning the Buy Your Punchestown Annual Membership For 2008 Handicap Chase with 9/4 favourite The Boxer Roche.
Mick Darcy gave the J P McManus-owned gelding, running in his first handicap chase, a confident ride before seeing off the challenge of Be My Benefit, despite wandering under pressure in the closing stages.
Fair Ina, a half-sister to Solerina, opened her account when scoring a smooth success for the Bowe family in the bumper.
Bought during the summer by John Bowe, from his trainer/brother Michael as a replacement for Solerina, Fair Ina was always prominent and won cosily by a half-length from Sesame Rose.
John Bowe said: “That’s absolutely brilliant. I honestly never thought I’d be lucky enough to have another winner after Solerina retired. This mare has the same laid-back approach at home as Solerina. We think the world of her.”
Fair Ina, ridden to victory by Noel McParlan, will be aimed at a winner’s bumper before going over hurdles next season. Bowe warned: “Like Solerina, her future is as a staying hurdler.”
Racing opened with a major shock when 50/1 shot Torduff King, a four-time point-to-point winner but off the track since November ‘06, landed the Visit The Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase under Martin Ferris.
Torduff King is trained in County Wexford by Philip Redmond who suggested that the seven-year-old “stays forever.”
Christy Roche withdrew top-weight Streets Of Gold, controversially disqualified at Leopardstown last week, from the Buy Your Tickets On Line Handicap Hurdle but won the race with Silent Creek.
Michael Riordan’s gelding hit the front at the second last flight before forging clear to score by sixteen lengths. Sure to taker a leap up the ratings after this emphatic win, Silent Creek’s future lies over fences.
Tom Molloy, now based with Philip Hobbs in England, paid a flying visit to partner recent Limerick winner Splurge to victory for trainer John Coleman whose assistant James Nash nominated the S M Morris Handicap Hurdle on ‘Pierse’ day at Leopardstown as the nest target for Splurge.
