Vivaldi hits the right note for O’Connell
O’Connell is based with James Lambe, trainer of both Yachvili and Vivaldi, which landed the Eamon Sheridan Plant Hire Novice Hurdle in a three-way battle with fellow joint-favourite Waterloo Chateau and Killogan Lass.
Niggled along before the third last, Vivaldi came through to head Lillogan Lass on the home turn, and, despite idling in front, kept going to triumph by a length and three-quarters.
Trainer Lambe was not present. But his representative Cecil Mahon commented: “The track didn’t really suit him but he’s tough and he stays and kept going well. James is at home and I’m not sure his plans for the horse. But he runs well at Galway and Sligo and I imagine he’ll go to one of them, or both.
“This horse is a little nervy and the ear-plugs are a big help to him. He’s only coming to himself and will improve again when he steps up in trip.”
Earlier, O’Connell had initiated his treble when well-backed City Hustler, trained in Skerries, County Dublin by Sean Thornton battled well to keep Get It On at bay by three-quarters of a length, after the runner-up pecked slightly when challenging at the final obstacle.
Karl Thornton, son of the successful owner-trainer, said: “He probably got there too soon, again. But he got the job done and seemed to pick up when the other horse came at him. He’ll go for the amateur handicap hurdle on the Friday of Galway.”
O’Connell crowned a great night and provided Lambe with a double when he Yachvili, a course and distance winner in May, came with a well-timed challenge to lead on the approach to the final obstacle before beating Scenic Bay by four and a half lengths.
Cecil Mahon described O’Connell’s handling of the seven-year-old as “a good, confident ride” and O’Connell’s expressed his delight at his haul, which brought his seasonal tally to eight and his career total to eighteen.
The Eddie Harty-trained Carrigmartin, in the colours of J P McManus, landed a tidy gamble (4/1 to 9/4) in the Carney’s Bar Maiden Hurdle, overcoming an absence since last November when he sustained a muscle injury in a disappointing run at Down Royal. In front after the second last, Carrigmartin stayed on under Mark Walsh to beat Turner Brown by two lengths.
“That was nice,” stated Harty. “It was his first run for a while and he won well. I was a bit worried about the ground, but he handled it well.
“He’s been ready to run since May, but we had a long dry spell and I wouldn’t risk him. We have no immediate plans for him but he’ll jump fences in time.”
The McManus colours were successful again in the bumper when Jewel In The Sun, trained by Charlie Swan, forged clear on the approach to the straight to beat Ross Limestone by seven lengths.
The five-year-old Milan gelding was driven clear by Nina Carberry from over two furlongs and galloped on resolutely, prompting Swan to comment: “He’s a tough little fellow that stays well. He’s from a good staying family that my father had. It’s great to win a bumper with him. He’ll go straight over hurdles now and will step-up in trip.”
Another former Ballydoyle inmate Hail Caesar, trained for Barry Connell by Ted Walsh, booked his ticket to Galway when landing the opening Mayo News Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Alan Crowe.
Hail Caesar jumped into the lead at the second last flight and had his market rival and nearest pursuer Esporao in trouble approaching the straight, staying on in good style to score by seven lengths from Half Full.
“He couldn’t have done it any better,” declared winning trainer Walsh. “He jumped and travelled and his experience stood to him. On flat form, he was entitled to win and things fell right for him. Barry (Connell) is keen for him to run in Galway, so he’ll go for the four-year-old novice on Monday.”
