O’Connell shines as gutsy Royal Blood prevails
The 8/1 shot jumped the last in good style and was always holding the effort of Killy Fryer close home.
“He’s tough and honest but has put in some awful runs in the past and I just don’t think that he’s suited to tight tracks,” reported winning trainer Philip Dempsey.
O’Connell had to settle for the runner-up spot in the preceding Connacht Beginners Chase after his mount So Determined had to give way to Macs Mandalus, who gained a long overdue success over the larger obstacles under a determined drive from Tom Doyle.
The winner is trained by Peter Casey who stated: “That was great and we had some good form, but I thought he was stopping in front. We’ll look for a handicap chase for him somewhere.”
Wijikura was foot perfect in an all the way success in the Railway Bar Three Year Old Maiden Hurdle.
Davy Russell got the winner into a good rhythm from the outset and the 9/2 shot, sporting the colours of Russell’s father Jerry, won as he liked by six lengths. “He has done loads of schooling and jumps very well. Martin Ferris did most of the schooling on him when Davy was out injured and a lot of the credit should go to him”, remarked Sam Curling representing the winning trainer Louise Curling.
Favourite backers had a few anxious moments in the concluding bumper but Earls Quarter eventually saw daylight under Patrick Mullins to account for Cebuno. On The Button, under the promising Keith Donoghue, survived a Stewards Inquiry when the seven-year-old took the Martinstown Handicap Hurdle for Val O’Brien.
