Harrington closes on million milestone
Numerically, it has been a tremendous campaign for Harrington and only Noel Meade and Willie Mullins are ahead of her in the trainers’ championship.
The Beneficial gelding’s success gave her a 58th win of the season, easily her best. “My previous best was either 49 or 50”, she reported.
Talented pilot Mark Bolger soon had the favourite, backed from 5-2 to 5-4, in front and sat unperturbed when Ruby Walsh challenged on Sports Line heading to the home turn.
He soon pushed Top Of The Rock on again and a mistake at the final flight made no difference, the verdict a comfortable five lengths.
Said Harrington: “Mark is great value for 7lbs. This horse did it well and he is a great big chaser in the making. We will tip away with him over hurdles and it will be fences next season.” It was a ninth career-win for Bolger.
Those who availed of the little bits of 2-5 available about Our Matti in the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle had cause to regret it.
He ended at 1-3 and didn’t display a whole lot of enthusiasm in the closing stages when asked to go and win his race by Ruby Walsh.
Andrew Leigh eased Storm Plan ahead approaching the home turn and then saved plenty as Our Matti tried to close her down.
The daughter of Glacial Storm is trained by Willie Austin and comes from the same family as Danoli.
Walsh partnered his third second of the day aboard the well-backed Orge d’Ete in the Clonmel Beginners Chase.
Taken from 13-8 to 11-8, the market-leader set off to make the running, but put the brakes on heading to the first.
He soon settled down near the front, but found nothing once Andrew McNamara eased Grapevine Sally past after two out.
Commented trainer, Edward O’Grady: “It’s nice to have a winner and she should make a brood mare. Hopefully, she will win more races before going to the paddocks.”
Willie Mullins, out of luck with Our Matti and Orge d’Ete, finally struck in the Bumper with the imposing newcomer, Jim The Falcon.
He was always going to win through the final two furlongs, proving much to good for Dessie Hughes’ mare, Rare Article.
“He’s a fine chaser in the making”, said Mullins. “I will try and win a hurdle with him, but he will go chasing next season. He was a little bit nervous first time out today, so we fitted him with ear-plugs.”
Mystical Breeze stayed on strongly up the straight to spring a 25-1 shock in the Suir Handicap Hurdle for Michael Hourigan and Tom Doyle.
His starting price was no surprise, considering he made no show on this track earlier in the month, having returned from a break of over two years.
“He’s related to Beef Or Salmon and cost plenty, but got a leg”, said Hourigan.
Adrian Maguire’s Right Now left recent form well behind when spreadeagling his field in the Lisronagh Handicap Chase.
He made every yard of the running for Shane Hassett, shooting home cosily clear of Roberstown Rover, who made up plenty of late ground.
Maguire has clearly shown plenty of patience with his charge, who has been operated on for his wind no less than three times.
Favourite Comedien was a desperately unlucky loser of the Comeragh Beginners Chase.
John Qeally’s charge came to challenge front-running Lissbonney Project two out, but lost his chance when pecking badly at the back of the obstacle.
In the meantime Shay Barry seized the opportunity to drive 14-1 shot Oscalong Lucy ahead on the run in, as Comedien roared back to finish right on top of the first pair.
