Tawaagg scores emphatic win despite last flight blunder
In tremendous form since his recent return from injury, Ruby was in typically confident mood on both Tawaagg and Essifer, delaying his challenge until the final flight before asserting on the stiff uphill climb to the post.
Even-money favourite Tawaagg was challenging market-rival Jump For You when untidy at the final flight. But, roused by the champion, the Kyllachy gelding soon asserted to score emphatically in the Magners Cider Hurdle.
Harold Kirk, representing the winning trainer, commented: “He loves fast ground and doesn’t like to hit the front too soon. The hustle and bustle of Galway should suit and that’s where he’ll go next.”
Ruby gave the Colin McBratney trained, 88-rated Essifer an even more confident ride in the Magners Cider Maiden Hurdle, cruising through the pack to track the leaders on the downhill approach to the final obstacle.
On the run-in Lord Americo gelding stretched clear to win well, prompting his trainer to describe Walsh’s handling of the eight-year-old as “the ride of the week.”
“This horse has been a good servant, but a bit unlucky. He needs fast ground and will go to Galway now, for the ‘Galway Blazers’ on the Saturday.”
The Mullins double was completed when Dare To Doubt, having her second start and backed from 5/4 to 8/11, scored a facile win in the mares bumper.
Fearing a lack of pace, Patrick Mullins opted to make the running on the flat-bred daughter of King’s Theatre and she was never seriously threatened, coming home five and a half lengths clear of Honours Graduate.
A winners’ bumper is next on the agenda for Dare To Doubt, with a crack at a flat maiden also in the pipe-line.
Lenny Flynn registered his first double as a professional, on Woodland Traveller and Sir Ejay.
Woodland Traveller, trained by Paul Gilligan, got up on the line to pip the Barry Geraghty-ridden favourite Glaczer Flyer in the opening Magners Cider Maiden Hurdle, after the flattering Whispering Wind faded to finish third.
Gilligan, enjoying a good summer campaign, was not present. But his representative Brian Cawley indicated that Woodland Traveller “needs fast ground” and will now go straight to Galway.
Flynn was also seen at his forceful best when completing his double on board Sir Ejay, which defied top-weight and continued Charlie Swan’s rich vein of form in the Magners Cider Handicap Hurdle.
Barry Geraghty, nailed on the line on board Glaczer Flyer, enjoyed better luck when the Peter Casey-trained Inis Ceithleann coasted home an easy winner of the Magners Cider Handicap Hurdle, the mare’s task being eased when her nearest pursuer Stella Matutina fell at the second last flight.
Inis Ceithleann came home seven lengths clear of Ruby Walsh’s mount Cruthu Na Potoige, a performance which prompted the Stewards to enquire into the mare’s improvement in form, following a poor effort at Limerick last time.
Trainer Casey’s son and assistant Francis stated that the mare needs fast ground to produce her best form, an explanation which was noted by the Stewards.
Brian O’Connell appeared to have the concluding Magners Cider Bumper in safe keeping when producing the Shane Donohoe-trained Five Out Of Five to lead turning for home before stretching clear.
But, on the climb, the Saddler’s Hall gelding bagan to labour and Robbie McNamara brought the Pat Hughes-trained Present Diamonds with a strong late surge which saw the Presenting gelding get up on the line.
“He’s a summer horse. Robbie gave him a great ride.
“We’ll probably go straight over hurdles with him now,” said the winning trainer.
