Cooper on the Cheltenham trail again with Forpadydeplasterer
The Tralee trainer’s imposing Forpadydeplasterer produced a tremendous display to beat Cork All Star in yesterday’s Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown and will head to Prestbury Park as a live candidate for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, formerly the SunAlliance.
Sent to the front turning in by Davy Russell, the massive six-year-old showed all the right qualities when push came to shove. Cork All Star was soon out after him, but could never get in a real blow and was a length and a quarter adrift at the line.
Paddy Power immediately reduced Forpadydeplaster’s Ballymore price from 16-1 to half those odds. Boylesports tightened him from 16-1 to 12’s.
Said Copper: “He’s the real article. That was a proper race, run at a true gallop and he outgunned them. He goes for the Ballymore now and will be twice as good over a trip. Wait until you see him over fences next season.”
Cooper confimed that his charge had a little problem with a stifle after his previous outing, so clearly there should be loads of improvement to come. Cork All Star ran respectably and heads for the Supreme Novices Hurdle with obvious prospects, but the big disappointment was Whatuthink, who seemed to resent being taken on early on the final circuit by Made In Taipan.
The high class J’y Vole produced what can only be described as a remarkable performance to land the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
She did literally everything wrong through the contest and, yet, won going away by five lengths in the end.
It was a canny drive by Ruby Walsh, because this was not one of the mare’s better days. He gave her all the help that was needed, however, and that was the difference between success and defeat.
She travelled like a dream in front, until jumping violently right at the first two fences past the stands.
She continued her tendency to behave like that down the back and then blundered three out and less dramatically at the next.
When Big Zeb cruised past early in the straight, the game appeared to be up for the heavily-backed favourite.
But Walsh was largely unperturbed, as he gathered J’y Vole for another effort. Once at the other side of the final fence, she answered the call in style, striding right away from Big Zeb.
“She worked very ordinary on Thursday and only took her chance because this was a Grade 1”, said Willie Mulllins.
“I’m absolutely flabbergasted, she must be some machine. I don’t know where she will go next, I will go home and have a chat with Ruby later.”
Personal Column did his job well to short head Won In The Dark in the Grade 2 betchronicle.com Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Jessica Harrington’s charge would certainly have scored with a bit more in hand had he not been particularly awkward at the final flight.
He picked up in splendid fashion for Barry Geraghty, however, and grabbed his rival in the dying strides.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and knew he had improved since Christmas”, reported Harrington. “He’s tough and will have to go for the Triumph Hurdle now. I’ve only ever had one runner in that race before.”
William Hill reacted by slashing Personal Column from 50-1 to 14’s for the Triumph, while Boylesports and Cashmans were far less impressed and offered 33-1.
Harrington completed a double when Spirit Run, fresh from a decent effort behind Jagoes Mills at Thurles, took the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Powered into the lead off the home turn by Andrew Leigh, the mare found plenty to hold both Moskova and All Heart.
Commented Harrington: “I thought she was well enough handicapped and will step up in distance now. She might run later on in a three mile handicap at Fairyhouse.”
Tony Martin’s Psysho, who went up 16lbs for his previous win at Leopardstown, looked like laughing at the handicapper going to the last in the T C Matthews’ Carpets Handicap Hurdle.
The 9-2 market-leader cantered into the lead for Davy Russell, who was able to sit utterly motionless.
But Psycho stepped right into the obstacle and paid the ultimate penalty. Victory went to 25-1 shot, Take Your Mark, who swept through late to beat Splurge.
Arthur Moore’s newcomer, Jaffonien, swamped his rivals for speed in the straight to easily land the Frank Ward and Co Solicitors’ Bumper, giving rider, Niall Kelly, a first winner.
“I bought him as a three-year-old at Saint Cloud”, said Moore. “I thought he’d run well, he’s a lovely horse for the future. He will have one more run and come back over hurdles next season.”
Agus A Vic, who ran away from Climate Control from the final fence in the Raymond Smith Hunters Chase, could head for Cheltenham, although good ground would be a concern, according to trainer, Pat Martin.
