Tranquil Sea finds his level
He ran with the choke out for much of the journey in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park, but Andrew McNamara rode him with a lot more restraint on this occasion.
Held up in mid-division, Edward O’Grady’s charge cruised into the lead approaching the second last.
He jumped the final two flights in style and, though tiring in the closing stages, had plenty in reserve to resist the late surge of the promising Faltering Fullback.
Commented McNamara: “He’s a great jumper and should make a fine chaser next season. I’d say that will be his game, he’s hardly going to go to the top over hurdles.”
Ruby Walsh made plenty of use of Splurge in the Tote Hurdle and the tactics were the key to the success of the John Coleman-trained gelding.
Normally a hold-up horse, Splurge - prominent throughout - was eased ahead heading to the fifth and galloped powerfully up the straight to beat Victram decisively.
Coleman was represented by his assistant, Jim Nash, who said: “I’d imagine he’s finished for the season.
“I don’t know what we’ll do next season, whether to send him over fences or for some of those proper hurdle races. Ruby is mad for him to go chasing.”
Walsh completed a double aboard Candy Girl in the three mile Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase.
Fears she mightn’t stay the trip were completely dispelled and the Un Desperado nine-year-old was going away at the finish.
Walsh partnered her with real patience, but produced Candy Girl to lead two from home to easily beat front-running Drunken Disorderly.
“Her confidence was affected when falling first time up over fences at Thurles, but she is a great little mare”, reported Walsh.
Liam Kenny, who has just 15 horses in his care at Gorey, Co Wexford, has a decent sort in Galant Ferns, who was impressive in winning the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion Bumper.
Pushed into the lead under two furlongs down by Emmet Mullins, Galant Ferns was always holding Smoking Aces, who came from a fair way back.
Said Kenny: “She will have a break now and come back over hurdles next season.”
Garret Cotter gave Brotenstown, trained by Paul Cashman, a very enterprising drive to take the Advanced Mares Hurdle.
Always near the front, the daughter of Presenting was kicked on by Cotter down hill to the home turn.
Early in the straight it appeared as if well-backed favourite Brave Betsy would swamp the leader, but Brotenstown didn’t wilt and crossed the line three lengths to the good.
They were a motley bunch in the opening Meteor Mobile Maiden Hurdle and it was no surprise when victory went to a newcomer, Dessie Hughes’ Glenbarrow.
In a contest of fluctuating fortunes, a number of a horses looked like winning at different stages, but it was Glenbarrow who found the most from the final flight to forge clear for Roger Loughran.
Adrian Maguire’s Right Now followed his easy win at Clonmel with another smooth performance in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Jumping beautifully in the capable hands of Shane Hassett, Right Now made most of the running to beat Nine O unextended by five and a half lengths.
