Longer trip does the trick for Shakervilz
Tracking the leaders for most of the journey, he was taken to the front coming way from four out by Ruby Walsh.
Hi Cloy ranged up as a danger in the straight, but fluffed the second last and Shakervilz soon drew away from him.
“I thought the extra distance would help and it did”, said Willie Mullins. “I’m not so sure he will go chasing next season, I’d say his future is over hurdles. He stays really well and now goes to Punchestown.”
Walsh completed a double, taking his total for the three days of the Festival to six, when Reisk Superman ran away with the Avon Ri Leisure and Corporate Resort Beginners Chase.
A drifter in the early part of the market, he eased out to as high as 7-4 with one intrepid layer. But then the money came and Reisk Superman was thumped into 5-6.
Allowed lead three out, he strolled away to beat Summer Seeds by an easy 11 lengths. Walsh, who starts a six-day suspension today, incurred at Cheltenham, is obviously intent in not giving up his jockeys’ title without a fight.
It appeared to be over prior to Fairyhouse, but he has narrowed the gap appreciably on Davy Russell and the score now stands at 116-110.
Tom Hogan took Kalderon to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle, but decided against running him because he wasn’t happy with the horse.
Instead, he turned the eight-year-old’s attentions to the Betchronicle Private Client Telebet Hurdle and picked up almost €30,000 for connections in beating one opponent.
Earth Magic tried to make all, but could never shake off the winner, who lobbed along behind for most of the journey.
David Casey asked Kalderon to go on at the final flight and he quickly eased away to score by two and a half lengths.
“He was just off-colour at Cheltenham and I’ve done little with him since”, reported Hogan. “That’s a surprise, but it was a grand piece of work!
“If the ground is good he might head to Liverpool, otherwise we will wait for Punchestown.”
Conor O’Dwyer retired in a blaze of glory when guiding Mister Top Notch to a smooth success in the Betchronicle On Course Hurdle.
Davy Fitzgerald’s charge travelled supremely well and had the look of a winner a fair way from home.
O’Dwyer eased ahead turning in and Mister Top Notch scampered away to score unextended from Boulavogue.
Commented Fitzgerald: “He was wrong and sore after his run in the Hennessy at Leopardstown. Then he scoped wrong, so not in my wildest dreams did I expect him to do that today. He will go for the Betfair Bowl at Aintree.”
Good Fella, a fine money-spinner for the Paddy Mooney yard, stayed on dourly to win the McGarrell Reilly Homes Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by his son, Martin, the progressive seven-year-old battled powerfully to grab the flattering Newton Bridge after the final flight.
Reported Mooney senior: “He was in good old order, but I thought the ground was gone against him. He loves soft ground.”
The Joker and Shane Jackson produced a terrific display to take the betchronicle.com Handicap Chase.
Shane Donohoe’s gelding tried to make all, but his chance seemed to be gone when blundering badly at the third last.
Jackson, however, gathered him for another effort, The Joker led again at the final fence and the late rush of Clarkey was never a worry.
Noel Meade’s horse are still struggling a bit to hit top gear, but he unveiled a possible star of the future in Pandorama in the Gigginstown House Stud Point-To-Point Championship Bumper.
He made every yard of the running, in the hands of Nina Carbery, and simply exploded over the last two furlongs when King’s Forest momentarily threatened danger, the final margin of victory 22 lengths.
