Ballysassian springs 20/1 shock on jumping debut
Partnered with lots of patience by Kevin Coleman, Ballysassian came from well off the pace to ease to the front over two out and comfortably beat Some Song.
“That’s more than a surprise”, exclaimed O’Brien. “I knew he had ability, but the horse just fell apart on me.”
Long odds-on favourite, Bannow Rose, again disappointed and was in trouble, in the testing conditions, a long way from home.
The second section saw the Garvan Donnelly-trained Inistioge, like Ballysassian, an ex-winning pointer, land a minor touch.
Taken from 7-1 to 5’s, she raced near the front throughout for Davy Russell. The daughter of Supreme Leader held the call coming away from the final flight, but was all out close home to hold the flying late rush of Outlaw Kid by a short head.
“She’s as honest as they come”, said Donnelly. “This is a bonus, because chasing is her game.”
Willie Mullins’ Layde Back, odds-on in the morning, was friendless on track, easing out to 6-4. He tried to challenge heading to the home turn, but could only plug on one-paced to claim fifth spot. The Flemensfirth gelding was subsequently found to have pulled muscles behind.
Ruby Walsh, who seemed to have reasonable prospects of winning all the divisions of the Ballynonty Maiden Hurdle, had to wait for the third before striking gold aboard Mullins’ Otay Kawn.
A best priced 4-9 in the ring, he was in front three out and was kept right up to his work in the closing stages to score by a length and a half.
“He did what he was supposed to do”, remarked Mullins, who didn’t seem overly impressed with what he had just seen.
“I was apprehensive, that ground is very heavy. He will go for a winners of one or a nice novice hurdle and will be staying at home.”
Walsh struck again when powering Jimmy Mangan’s top weight Whinstone Boy to success in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle.
Peak Raider edged ahead between the last two flights, but a strong Walsh drive saw him worried out of it in the final hundred yards.
“Ruby says he wants further, but I knew that, he won two good point-to-points”, commented Mangan. “He could run again at the weekend, at either Cork or Fairyhouse.”
Liz Lalor rode her 14th winner when driving Eric McNamara’s Estuary Princess to victory in the Tipperary Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle.
“She has been improving a small bit and I thought the handicapper gave her a rating off which she could win”, said McNamara. “She will go to stud now and then run through the summer.”
Unlucky horse of the contest was well-backed Johnee Joblot, who seemed to be travelling best when jinking and unseating Katie Walsh just before the last.
Walsh, however, immediately redressed the balance when throwing the kitchen sink at heavily-backed Financialregulator to land the Bumper.
Mags Mullins’ charge was under the cosh a fair way out, but kept responding to beat market-rival, Dolly Hall, a hard-earned three parts of a length.
“That was a great ride, good and strong”, said Mullins. “He will go hurdling now and it will be chasing next season.”
