Piano calls the tune in National
The 12/1 shot, strongly-ridden by Paddy Flood got the better of front-running Dow Jones at the final fence before edging right and staying on to triumph by a length and a half, with Mirpour a close and fast-finishing third.
Ruby Walsh tried to rally Dow Jones on the run-in but Piano Star had his measure. A Stewards Enquiry followed, with no alteration made to the placings.
Formerly trained by Paul Gilligan, Piano Star, which is owned by John Joseph Kelly, has only been with Cunningahm for less than three months, as the trainer explained: “We’ve only had him a short time, but we knew from the start that he had ability. It’s just been a case of getting to know him.”
Cunningham will now bring Piano Star to his native county, Galway, for the William Hill Galway Plate, “He’s out of the handicap, but will get a penalty for this, which might help. But he’ll run anyway.”
Also Galway-bound, for a novice hurdle, is the Noel Meade-trained Go Native, which quickened well between the last two flights to beat Winterdown Star convincingly in the opening Dunvale Fabrications Limited Maiden Hurdle.
Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden, deputising for out-of-action stable-jockey Paul Carberry, gave the uneasy 11/4 favourite a confident ride. Meade commented: “He has jumped well from the start and did it well. He’ll be part of my team for Galway.”
Dessie Hughes took the training honours, recording a fine 103/1 double with Montero and Laura’s Light.
The Gerry Burke-owned Montero, winner of a Thurles bumper when trained by Philip Rothwell, came from off the pace to land the Tom McCormack Memorial Maiden Hurdle. Relishing the step-up in trip and considered a good chasing prospect by his trainer, the Roger Loughran-ridden Montero proved too good for Ahorsecalledmolly while odds-on favourite The Boxer Coffey (Ruby Walsh) was well-beaten when crashing at the final flight.
The Curragh-based trainer completed his double when the consistent Laura’s Light, wearing blinkers and a tongue-tie, outstayed his rivals in the three-mile Tommy Scanlon Bar & Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old was recording only the second win of his career. The victory proved handsome reward for the persistence of 7lb. claimer Ian McCarthy, who was niggling away on the winner with a circuit to race before requiring firm handling from the second last flight to get the better the flattering Allesandro at the final flight. The three-mile handicap hurdle at Galway is a likely target for Laura’s Light.
Artiste Bay, having only his second run over fences, opened his chasing account when getting the better of Nipper John in the beginners chase.
