Jubilant hits another right note for Murphy
He won his sixth race over jumps for Murphy when landing the featured Ross Golf Club Hurdle at Killarney yesterday.
Only five faced the starter, but it wasn’t a contest which lacked talking points. Firstly, well-backed favourite, Brave Right, set off to make the running, but was pulled up with an over-reach by Sean Flanagan after the fifth.
Then Galway Hurdle hero Indian Pace, who came from behind on that occasion, strode on going out for the final time.
He was beaten turning for home, however, as the winner and Davy Condon cantered into the lead. Silver Jaro threw down a determined challenge from the last, but that was always being repelled.
“He’s been an absolute star for me”, remarked Murphy. “They had rain here last night and I was worried about the ground, but it was a different race when Brave Right went out. He will now go for the Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.”
Noel Meade’s French-import, El Fontan, was all the rage in the Easyclean three-year-old Maiden Hurdle and landed the wagers with the minimum of fuss.
Confidently handled by Barry Geraghty and backed from 5-4 to corresponding odds-on, he cruised ahead going to two out to score with plenty in hand.
Meade wasn’t at the meeting, so plans are on hold, but this imposing youngster certainly has a future.
Geraghty completed a double aboard Adrian Maguire’s Western Rose in the Fexco Asset Finance Novice Hurdle.
This mare took her maiden in good style at Tipperary, but this was a grade or two above that and she made the transition with a real hint of class.
Eased into the lead before the second last, the four-year-old quickly scampered away to beat Prince Roco by four lengths.
Said Maguire: “She’s very exciting. We have no big plans, but she travels, jumps, settles and picks up.”
Niall Madden, stood down after taking a fall earlier in the day, missed a winner when David Flannery deputised for him on Michael Winters’ Western Devil in the handicap chase.
The Kanturk handler’s charge battled powerfully to beat Keys Pride, after the pair had a real battle up the straight.
“At least it’s a win for Cork”, quipped Winters. “He ran well when fourth here before and we thought he might like the place. I am delighted for David, it’s the first time he has ridden for me.”
Conor O’Farrell, enjoying his first victory over flights, gave Shaimaa a masterful drive to win the AIB Killarney Handicap Hurdle.
John Hanlon’s mare was last with a circuit to cover, but gradually worked her way through the field to lead on the run in.
Said Hanlon: “Conor gave her a super ride. We decided to ride her in behind and it has worked.
“She will go to Leopardstown next and, as we are all heading to Listowel, she may as well go too.”
Maureen Danagher admitted she couldn’t watch stable star Rathmmore Castle make a winning debut over fences in the Kelly Foley And Co In Association with Lloyd Fitzpatrick and Co Beginners Chase.
“I didn’t see the race, I just couldn’t wait to get today over’’, said a delighted Danagher, after David Casey had guided her charge to an 11 lengths defeat of Beautiful Vision. “David was happy and he will go for a winners of one now”, reported Danagher.
Rathmore Castle had a large slice of luck on his side, though, because Corrick Bridge had just hit the front, and was full of running, when depriving Barry Geraghty of a treble, toppling over at the penultimate obstacle.
Tom Hogan’s Kalderon also made a successful start over fences when completing a double for Casey in the Cronins’ Foodstore Cork Road, Killarney Beginners Chase.
Casey’s strength in a finish was decisive, as Kalderon stayed on doggedly to beat Total Victory by a short head.
“He’s just about passed his first exam”, said Hogan. “We will tip away with him over fences, he was gone a bit lazy over hurdles."
