Martin bags another Ulster Cesarewitch with Green Mile
Green Mile, a dual winner on the flat in Germany before joining Martin’s string, was having his first run on the level since flopping at Listowel last September. And he needed all of Robbie Colgan’s strength to wear down market-rival Princess Nicole, runner-up in the race for the second successive year, in the last hundred yards to triumph by a neck.
Martin, successful with Clever Consul in 2000 and 2001, saddled Hegrid to bolt up in the race under Fran Berry last year, slamming Princess Nicole by seven lengths. This time, he relied on Robbie Colgan, successful on the Montjeu gelding at Killarney in July, to do the steering.
Having come from off the pace, Colgan produced Green Mile to challenge between Princess Nicole and Market Watcher turning for home and the six-year-old stayed on tenaciously to edge ahead close home to record his first flat success in Ireland and give Colgan only his second victory on the level.
Successful here off a mark of just 56, Green Mile was proving himself a truly versatile gelding. Martin, uncertain where the six-year-old will run next, is likely to continue ‘mixing it’ with him over the coming months, once ground conditions remain suitable.
Dirar carried the familiar colours of the Aga Khan to victory in the most valuable event on this holiday card, the Down District Council Race.
A 26th winner of the season for in-form Rory Cleary, the King’s Best gelding took the lead with a half-mile to race and, driven clear, was in complete command turning for home before being eased down by Cleary to beat Salesin by four and a half lengths with Lady Alicia third.
Dirar is trained by Michael Halford, who commented: “He probably enjoyed getting a lead and Rory is riding out of his skin. I suppose he deserved to get his head in front and, although I’m not sure where he’ll go next, he’ll be heading for the Sales.”
Like Robbie Colgan, Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden earns his living in the jumps game, but showed again that he’s more than capable of matching his flat colleagues, recording a facile win in the Magners Cider Handicap on the Gordon Elliot-trained Careless Abandon.
The winner was bought by Elliott for 7,500 Guineas out of Andy Oliver’s stable at the Newmarket October Sales last year and, having worn blinkers in the past, was helped by the addition of first-time cheekpieces here.
Oliver enjoyed his own slice of luck in the bumper when Jacqui Kidd, one of the best lady riders around, partnered Appeal Denied to a hard-earned victory over Howyakeepan.
Champion-jockey Ruby Walsh notched his 32nd win of the season (six ahead of nearest rival Paul Carberry) and drew plenty of praise from Dermot Weld when landing the opening Fran Murrin Memorial Maiden Hurdle on the odds-on favourite Noble Crusader.
Ridden positively and always close to the pace, Noble Crusader looked destined for second spot when Paul Carberry produced Skylancer to challenge at the final flight.
But Walsh’s strength galvanised Noble Crusader’s effort on the stiff climb through the final furlong, forcing his mount clear to win decisively from Le Reveur, which stayed o to snatch second spot.
The winning trainer, speaking by phone, commented: “Ruby gave him a great ride. The horse has experience and, when it was needed, he pinged the last and stayed on well up the hill.
“He’s improving and Ruby says he needs to step-up in trip. He’ll probably head to Galway now for a handicap.”
Shock of the day came in the Newry Mares Maiden Hurdle when the John Quinn-trained Vivid Exposure, ridden by 7lb. claimer Michael Butler, sprang a 25/1 surprise.
Eoin Griffin saddled Spanish Parade, ridden by Tom Doyle, to beat Gordon Elliott’s Baguenaud in the Magners Cider Handicap Hurdle, in which the Ruby Walsh-trained favourite Conker Nails, a winner over course and distance last time, made an early exit, crashing out of the race at the second flight.
