Jamies Choice continues on upward curve
The eight-year-old, which has struck up a tremendous partnership with 5lb. claimer Eoin McCarthy in recent months, was recording his fifth win in his last six starts and defying a whopping 36lb. rise in the ratings since registering his first win at Ballinrobe in mid-August.
Backed down to 7/2 favouritism, the habitual front-runner jumped with his customary zest, but looked in trouble when tackled by Pom Flyer at the second last fence. But McCarthy’s mount forged clear on the run-in to triumph by two lengths.
Although Jamies Choice remains a novice for the current season, Rothwell explained: “He’s a tough little horse and is improving all the time. But he’s small and not built to carry big weights. So we won’t be going down the novice route with him. Instead, I’ll look for a few better handicaps, where he’d be carrying light weights.”
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry enjoyed mixed luck, scoring with Mythical Prince before being denied a double when favourite Rinroe fell, when in front, at the second last fence in the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase.
Owned by the Fleetwudmac Syndicate from County Wexford, Mythical Prince got the better of gambled-on Alpine Eagle by a head in the Alchemy Properties Maiden Hurdle, the blinkered four-year-old building on his hurdle debut second to Vital Plot at Down Royal.
In the absence of Rathmore Castle, Rinroe, successful on his fencing debut at Navan, was sent off 13/8 favourite for the novice chase and, confidently handled by Carberry, made smooth headway to tackle and head front-running Sizing Africa when Noel Meade’s charge crashed at the second last.
Sizing Africa, ridden for Henry de Bromhead by Andrew McNamara, was left a long way clear to beat Dancing Hero by no less than twenty-seven lengths. The winner was following-up a fencing debut win at Tramore and will be stepped-up in class, over a minimum of two and a half miles.
Davy Russell took the riding honours, thanks to a double, on Spiriton and Paddy The Ref, in the opening two races.
Spiritin, trained by Paul Cashman, who was in Fairyhouse to saddle Glitter Baby in the listed Finale Stakes, travelled sweetly throughout the Alchemy Properties Cork Handicap Hurdle before edging ahead nearing the final flight and stretching clear to beat Camarilla by four lengths.
The Philip Fenton-trained Paddy The Ref, owned by the Forty Twenty Syndicate, completed Russell’s double when landing the INH Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle, the six-year-old surviving a mistake at the last to beat King Of The Titans readily. The winner’s task was eased when favourite Western Rose was one of three casualties at the second hurdle in the back-straight, five from home.
Fenton said: “He’s been a bit disappointing in his first two runs over hurdles. But he needs better ground and two miles is as far as he wants to go, particularly in that ground. I have no fancy plans and will look for a little ‘novice’ for him somewhere.”
Rebel Run, a half-brother to stable-companion Thyne Again, recorded his second success when Shay Barry produced him with a well-timed challenge to beat the flattering Fleeting Chance in the Alchemy Properties Handicap Hurdle.
Watchurhouse, off the track since early July, emerged best in a four-way battle for the bumper, the Alchemy Properties Flat Race, the six-year-old getting the better of promising former point-to-pointer Justforthesakeofit by a length and a half. Watchurhouse is trained by Willie Mullins for the M M D Syndicate and was given a strong ride by the trainer’s son Patrick.
