Strongpoint gets the job done in style
Backed from 13-8 to 5-4, he blundered at the ninth, but other than that it was pretty much plain sailing. Davy Russell eased Strongpoint ahead before the second last and the front-running Mr Ramsey was beaten when departing here.
Said Swan: “He’s a big chasing type, but is actually only bred to get a mile and a half. Davy says to drop him back in trip and that’s what we might do.”
Swan’s Tribes And Banner made a fine start over fences in the South Tipperary Tourism Race Meeting 24th June Beginners Chase. Produced with impeccable timing by Denis Hogan, the winner was awkward at the final fence, but it made no difference, as he easily beat the eye-catching, Red Kingdom.
Russell added to his gains aboard Strongpoint when guiding Old Hall to an easy success in the Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap Chase. It was a moderate contest, but Old Hall was in front going to the home turn and soon put this to bed to redeem the promise of his second behind Oola Lad at Clonmel.
The Christy Roche-trained Stakers, owned by J P McManus, made a winning debut over flights with a smooth success in the Tom And Jerry Maiden Hurdle. He jumped and travelled well through the contest for Alan Crowe and appeared to have the measure of the challenging Final Day when that one stumbled at the back of the last.
McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, did the honours and said: “He’s had a few little hiccups along the way. We will find a winners’ of one or a handicap for him now.”
Swiftmarc, who returned from an absence to win at Punchestown recently, followed up with a game display in the Summer Sunday 18th July Hurdle. The Punchestown race was his first for Dessie Hughes, so he’s now two from two for the in-form trainer.
Decoy Daddly landed in front two out, but Swiftmarc rallied for Roger Loughran and was always getting the best of the fight in the closing stages.
Heavily-backed favourite Eagle’s Pass fell at the fourth. “He’s an improving horse and when Eagle’s Pass fell it was wide open”, remarked Hughes.
Most impressive winner of the evening was Gordon Elliott’s newcomer Steps To Freedom in the Bumper. He cruised ahead over a furlong down for Nina Carberry to beat market-leader, Hired Hand, by six lengths.
John Hanlon’s King Of Redfield, initiating a double for Denis Hogan, on the mark also with Tribes And Banner, ran away with the Summer Evening BBQ Handicap Hurdle. For A Finish was a possible danger rising to two out, but guessed at the obstacle and that was that, as the winner stretched on to score by eight lengths.
There were three jockeys in the wars, with the unlucky Matt O’Connor again s facing a spell on the sidelines with a broken collarbone. Paul Townend suffered a soft tissue injury to his wrist and Keith Donoghue a possible crack of his collarbone.
