Layers laughing as Express steams home
Shane Jackson took the outsider to the front with well over a circuit to go and the dual point-to-point winner maintained a relentless gallop from that point.
Scotsirish cruised up behind the leader approaching the home turn and looked sure to swamp him when Paul Townend so desired.
But the writing was on the wall at the last, with Scotsirish emptying quickly and he was four lengths adrift at the line.
Florida Express was a second success on the racecourse for Gorey, Co Wexford handler, Philip Redmond, who has only held a licence for about a year.
“I thought he would run well, but didn’t think he’d win”, said Redmond. “I don’t know where he will go next, we weren’t expecting this.”
Willie Mullins and Townend had earlier been on the mark when Shakervilz made a hugely impressive seasonal debut in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle, going off a heavily-backed favourite to boot.
He was cantering all over his rivals from a long way out for Townend and it was simply a case of when the youngster pressed the button.
Shakervilz led at the fourth last and steadily drew way without coming out of second gear. “I’d like to find another race like that for him”, reported Mullins. “He will stay hurdling this season and could go to Navan in a few weeks.”
The Tom Mullins-trained King Of Queens was the business in the ring for the Holy Cross three-year-old Maiden Hurdle, 4-1 to 11-4, and could hardly have done the job any better.
Robert Power allowed him lead over three out and the well-bred son of Dalakhani scampered clear to beat Brosna Val by ten lengths.
Commented Mullins: “He’s learning and improving all the time. Robert said he hated the ground. He will go to Leopardstown and probably end up in the Durkan race.”
King Of Queens is 50-1 with Cashmans for the Triumph Hurdle and 33’s with Ladbrokes.
Tom Mullins supplied the short-priced favourite, Time Electric, in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle, but he proved most disappointing, failing to pick up when asked by Davy Russell in the final half mile.
Victory went to Mouse Morris’ Browns Baily, who stayed on strongly for Niall Madden to grab front-running Oh So Humbel at the last.
Said Morris: “He is so much better on better ground , if he ever gets it and if he stops growing. One of those winners’ of one at Christmas will be next.”
Boulavogue was all the rage in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase, finding 11-10 from 2-1.
He appeared to have the contest at his mercy when market rival, Deutschland, fell when right on terms five out, but in the end the hot-pot had no answer to the challenge of Sher Why Not from the final fence.
Sher Why Not, trained by Colm Murphy, gave Matt O’Connor his first success over fences since turning professional.
Said Murphy: “I’m delighted for Matt, he has been waiting a long time for that. We will stick this horse in a handicap and see what mark he gets. He will either go for one of those or a winners’ of one.”
The Munster Handicap Hurdle was a moderate heat which went to Baladiva and Michael Darcy. The winner forged head between the final two flights to easily beat Talkingtonbates.
Charles Byrnes’ 10-1 shot Dromin Hill Echo stayed on doggedly for Lenny Flynn to prove too strong for An Peinteir in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
nCousin Vinny will make his eagerly waited debut over flights in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Patrick Mullins will ride.
