Our Ben’s fatal fall mars Legend success
The odds-on shot set off to make the running, but looked in trouble when market rival, Knight Legend, was eased past after five out by Barry Geraghty.
Knight Legend soon strode clear and turned down hill to the penultimate fence with a healthy lead. Our Ben, however, rallied in terrific style and was right back in contention, upsides, when departing at the obstacle.
Said Geraghty: “I was happy enough at the time and the other horse must have been feeling the pinch to fall like that!”
Winning trainer Jessica Harrington’s first concern was for Our Ben. “I don’t like winning races like that, I feel sorry for his connections”, she remarked.
“Barry hadn’t gone for our horse, but we will never know who would have won. I’m not sure what will be next, the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles is a possibility.”
David Casey was the unfortunate rider on Our Ben, but he enjoyed much better fortune earlier in the day when landing a treble on Major Sensation, Mister Watzisname and Plaisir D’Estruval.
Major Sensation followed up his success at Leopardstown last week when defying a mandatory 6lbs penalty in the David Flynn Construction Novice Handicap Hurdle.
His biggest problem through the contest was stumbling badly at the back of the fourth last, but Casey soon had him back on an even keel.
J P McManus’ charge eased ahead before two out, but had to be hard driven in the closing stages to hold the persistent challenge of Island Myth.
“He did the business, it’s never as easy as it looks”, commented trainer, Arthur Moore. “We had to come here, he goes up 10lbs in the future.
“He’s had two quick races and will have a break of a few weeks. Chasing will be his game next season.”
Henry de Bromhead continued his good run when Mister Watzisname made a winning debut over jumps in the Waterford and Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
Powerfully handled by the in-form Casey, he found loads for pressure from the last to beat Surenaga by two lengths.
Said de Bromhead: “He won a couple of schooling hurdles and I thought would land a bumper, but he disappointed me at Navan last time. He jumps deadly, however, needs hurdles and is for sale.”
Casey was back in the winner’s enclosure again when completing a double for Arthur Moore on Plaisir D’Estruval in the Tramore Maiden Hurdle.
Well supported in the ring and fresh from a reasonable start on the track at Leopardstown, he cruised into the lead going to two out to score unextended by six lengths.
“He won a point for Ciaran O’Brien on good to firm and he wasn’t sure he’d handle soft ground, so I’m delighted”, reported Moore. “He showed plenty of promise at Leopardstown.”
Sheebadiva landed an excellent hat-trick when proving far too good for her rivals in the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase.
The only possible danger was removed when Master Massini fell three from home and Sheebadiva and Martin Ferris soon stretched away.
Said trainer, Sean Aherne: “She was entitled to win, but I was afraid the ground might have gone too deep.”
Duers, partnered by Brian Byrnes for Paul Magnier, could hardly have won the Curran South East Cleaners Handicap Hurdle any easier.
The 12-1 shot strode on going out for the last time and gradually eased clear to score by a whopping 23 lengths.
Veteran handler, Cecil Ross, enjoyed a turn when Omas Glen took the Kent Bros Beginners Chase.
In what was an ordinary contest, Sean Flanagan produced the mare to lead between the last two fences to beat Valley Of Giants.
