Casey cajoles Sonnium to victory
He was pushing and cajoling his charge along from a fair way out, but had his reward in the end.
Reported Casey: “I was hampered at the first and outpaced a little after that.”
Well-backed Ceasen Desist, 11-2 to 7-2, jumped brilliantly and tried to make all. They were tactics which looked sure to succeed for much of the trip.
But he got very tired in the straight and was out on his feet, although still holding the call, when falling at the final fence.
Sanglote was left in front, but Sonnium was now in full flow and powered past on the level.
Mullins’ Dual Gales, absent since finishing 19th of 22 behind Zaarito at Punchestown in January, cropped up at 14-1, almost 23-1 on the tote, in the Kilfeacle Maiden Hurdle, also in the hands of Casey.
Total Excitement, again entrusted with favouritism, edged ahead going to two out, but was quickly challenged by the winner.
They raced down to the last stride for stride, but when Total Excitement blundered the race was over as a contest.
For Mullins, however, it was a case of keeping the best wine until last, with his Blackstairmountain producing a smashing performance to win the Bumper by 16 lengths.
His previous performance, 12th of 16 at Limerick, left Mulllins perplexed, but the four-year-old was right back on track here.
Patrick Mullins allowed him to lead under three furlongs down and Blackstairmountain soon exploded clear.
Commented Mullins senior: “He is a full-brother to Imperial Hills, but a stronger version. I have always thought a lot of this horse and he will probably go on the flat now.”
The Mick Murphy-trained Hintsnallegations, partnered by Tom Doyle, took the Clanwilliam Novice hurdle at 25-1.
He shot ahead off the home turn and found plenty to beat the best backed horse in the contest, The Ginger Man.
Said Murphy: “None of my horses have been right over the past few weeks. This is only his second run for me and his first over hurdles, I couldn’t get him into a maiden hurdle. He likes that ground and will race through the summer.”
Dessie Hughes continued his terrific run when Johnny Two Keys and Roger Loughran easily won the Summer Evening BBQ Handicap Hurdle.
The full-brother to Florida Pearl stormed into the lead after three out to beat front-running Waittillitellyou.
Said Hughes: “He had bad runs in heavy ground and got well handicapped by accident. Everything was right for him here and he should be capable of winning again.”
Jessica Harrington’s Farinelli, revelling in the ground, ran away with the New Look High Chaparral Beginners Chase.
He was galloping all over his rivals through the final half mile, easing ahead for Robert Power going to the second last to beat market-leader, Schindler’s Gold, by 13 lengths.
Chasers Chance, a failed gamble at Ballinrobe previously, showed his appreciation of this better ground when landing the Tipperary Racecourse Supporters’ Handicap Chase.
Driven into the lead by Davy Condon early in the straight, he lasted out to hold Artic Island.
