Hennessy star is simply sublime
Given a superb drive by regular pilot, Philip Carberry, Sublimity credited rookie trainer, Robbie Hennessy, with his first ever winner.
Hennessy has only held a licence for a couple of weeks, he is based at Ratoath, Co Meath, and this was some way to break his duck.
The rising nine-year-old, of course, is owned by his father, Bill, and was formerly in the care of John Carr.
Said Hennessy: “This is brilliant, it couldn’t be better. It’s top class, he came here in top form.”
Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca took them along, but, sadly, they both now look a light of other days.
Brave Inca stuck it out longer than his rival, but was beaten before the final flight, as Carberry brought Sublimity with a powerful challenge.
Won In The Dark tried to close down the winner, but it was always going in favour of Sublimity, who had half a length to spare at the line.
“He did it easily”, exclaimed Hennessy. “That proves he is still up there with the best of them.
“If the ground is good he will come back here for the Toshiba Hurdle, if not it will be straight to Cheltenham.”
Carberry said: “I kept taking him back and was wondering when I might go. He jumped the last great and battled all the way to the line. The ground is very important, he is much better able to use his stride.”
Sublimity shortened to 8-1, from 14-1, for the Champion Hurdle with Boylesports. Cashmans offered 10-1, from 16’s, and he’s 10-1 with William Hill and 8-1 with Paddy Power.
Won In The Dark, the leading juvenile in Ireland last season, came right back to his best form.
Trainer, Sabrina Harty, reported: “He will come back here for the Toshiba and then go for the Champion Hurdle, as long as the ground is good.”
Biggest disappointment had to be Sizing Europe, notwithstanding he came into the contest under a cloud, having suffered a bruised foot on Sunday.
He jumped and travelled well through the race, but found nothing when asked to get serious by Andrew McNamara. “No excuses”, muttered the rider, with a shrug of his shoulders.
Nothing went right through the day for Willie Mullins and he had his worst setback with well-backed favourite Deutschland in the Centra Central Beginners Chase.
Ruby Walsh pushed him ahead going to the final fence and Deutschland rose a couple of lengths clear of nearest pursuer, Askthemaster.
But both horses crashed out, leaving Arthur Moore’s 33-1 shot Back On The Road to beat Horner Woods in a driving finish.
“He’s a horse we have always liked, but that’s a pleasant surprise”, admitted Moore. “He needs goodish ground and should go on from here.”
Michael Hourigan enjoyed a welcome turn when the frustrating Dancing Tornado got his act together in the Leopardstown Golf Academy Hurdle.
He was travelling strongly in behind Candy Girl and Splurge heading to the final flight, but was awkward at the obstacle.
The seven-year-old picked up in fine style for David Casey, however, running clear of Candy Girl close home.
Hourigan wasn’t at the meeting and connections were represented by Frank Berry, racing manager to the horse’s owner, J P McManus.
Said Berry: “He’s been a bit unlucky, but did it nicely. We were thinking of sending him over fences, but might give him another shot over hurdles now.”
McManus also saw his colours carried to success in the Bumper, this time by the highly promising newcomer, Sweeps Hill.
Trained by that master of his profession, John Kiely, the son of Montjeu found a real turn of foot through the final furlong to beat Rhyl Accord by a length and a half.
“I don’t have many like him, he will learn a lot from that”, said Kiely. He was given a 20-1 quote by Cashmans for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, but William Hill thought 12-1 was closer to the mark.
Jessica Harrington’s Give It time produced a decent performance to shrug off top weight in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Hurdle.
Confidently handled by Andrew Leigh, the daughter of Kayf Tara swept up off the final bend and soon has this in control.
She was a trifle awkward at the last, but it made no difference, as she stayed on to hold Aura About You by two lengths.
Commented Harrington: “She settled beautifully and did it well. Andrew said she was very effective on that ground. She will go to Cheltenham and probably won’t run before that.”
Paul Carberry was seen at his brilliant best when coaxing Noel Meade’s Corskeagh Royale to victory in the Business and Finance Maiden Hurdle.
He swished his tail when beaten into second at Punchestown previously and it really was all about timing on this occasion.
Carberry waited until the last before challenging front-running Stewarts House and then gently persuaded Corskeagh Royale to put his best foot forward on the flat to score by a neck.
Meade was also on the mark when Cleni Boy landed the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
He was given a particularly good drive by Luke McNiff, coming from off the pace to ease past Fond Of A Drop on the run in.
The attendance was 10,348, marginally up from 10,075 last year. Bookmakers held €1,405,989, as against €1,598,253 last year. The Tote turned over €400,358, down from €416,271. Total attendance for the week was 59,379.
