Fogarty’s power-packed drive proves decisive in tight finish
In his absence victory went Colm Murphy’s Don’t Be Bitin, dashingly handled by amateur, Michael Fogarty.
If Fogarty was a hero to those who supported the winner, then the same could not be said of Robert Power, who was aboard runner-up, Bobs Pride.
Power was a late call-up for Dermot Weld’s gelding, after booked rider, Andrew McNamara, was injured in the first.
The last fence wasn’t jumped, because of a false patch of ground on the take-off side, and that was probably no help to Bobs Pride.
Nevertheless, he was given kid-glove treatment by Power on the long run-in and hands and heels driving simply wasn’t good enough at the death.
The principals went toe-to-toe and the far more aggressively ridden Don’t Be Bitin was a short head in front at the line.
Commented Murphy: “He’s a tough horse. I’m not sure what will be next, but we have had the Galway Plate in the back of our minds. We will freshen him up and he will probably go for that.”
Noel Meade’s very frustrating Gracchus finally got it together to land the South Tipperary Tourism Maiden Hurdle.
He hasn’t always been the most resolute in a finish, but found plenty on this occasion for Paul Carberry to beat Ixora by a head.
“I was going to run him over a mile at Leopardstown, but thought if he was ever going to get the trip it would be here”, reported Meade.
“Now that he has done it over hurdles, I will try and win some kind of a flat race with the horse.”
McNamara, leading rider for the season thus far, took a fall off Hang on Groovy and was kicked in the neck. He was badly shaken and didn’t ride for the rest of the evening.
For most of the two and a half miles of the Clanwilliam Novice Hurdle eventual winner, Querios Bleu, travelled like a dream for Andrew Lynch.
He was still hard on the steel when cruising ahead between the final two flights, but suddenly 25-1 shot Russian War emerged from behind as a major danger.
In the end Lynch had to go for everything and it was only by a short head that Querios Bleu kept the challenger at bay.
Lynch, who suffered a fall off Time Machine in the opener, felt sore after riding Querios Bleu, and stood himself down for the rest of the night.
Hoopy carried cheekpieces and a tongue-strap in the Roscrea Active Retirement Handicap Hurdle, but displayed no lack of enthusiasm in getting the best of a tough battle with Ballochroy by half a length.
Trainer, Gordon Elliott, said: “He’s not a bad horse, but lost his way a little and tends to sulk when not getting his own way.
“I’m delighted for Davy (Condon), who has been riding out for us. Hoopy will probably run in a three mile hurdle at Galway, but will also be entered in the Plate.”
Paul Gilligan’s Mister Bishop, beaten a long way at Ffos Las previously, sprang a 20-1 shock in the first division of the Under 18’s Are Free Beginners Chase.
Beautifully handled by Robbie McCarth, Mister Bishop made virtually all of the running to slam market-leader, Kennel Bridge, by four and a half lengths.
The second section of the same contest went to Lucky At Last, making an excellent debut over fences.
Pushed to the front early in the straight by Andrew Thornton, he soon drew right away to score with lots in hand.
Edward O’Grady’s Bedford Row shrugged off top weight to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered by Patrick Mangan, he had just about taken the measure of Mr Bones when that one crashed out at the last.
It was a case of keeping the best wine ‘til last with the impressive The Real Article outclassing his rivals in the Bumper, to complete an O’Grady double.
He cantered ahead for James Carroll three furlongs down and didn’t have to be asked any sort of question in the closing stages.
Said O’Grady: “He goes for a maiden hurdle now, possibly at Killarney, or he may wait for Galway. I would like to think he will come back here in October for the good novice hurdle and then be put away.”
