Long trip pays-off for Butterly
Former jockey Butterly (21) only took out a licence two weeks ago. Cybersnow was his first runner, when also winning at Downpatrick last Sunday.
He was raised 17lbs for that and it was no surprise the Royal Anthem gelding went off at evens here, under a mandatory 6lbs penalty.
Keith Donoghue, who was in the plate as well in the north, enjoyed an armchair ride and it really was only a matter of when he asked his mount to get serious.
Cybersnow joined issue with Amazon Warrior two out, was soon in front and Donoghue was able to sit virtually motionless in the closing stages.
Butterly, who has four horses in his care, said: “He will have a little break now and then go for something like the Cesarewitch.”
Knockcroghery, runner-up behind Wijikura in the first juvenile race of the season at Roscommon, went one better in the opening three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
Sent to the front at the second last by John Cullen, the winner idled somewhat on the flat before going away again to beat Todd’s Forge by a length.
Trainer, John Nicholson, said: “We always thought there was a bit of class about her. She will go back to the flat now and could run at Killarney next Tuesday.”
Carleton Place dug deep for Andrew Lynch to win the Brian Griffin Memorial Handicap Chase for local trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The seven-year-old, in front early on the final circuit, was strongly challenged at the last by both good Decision and Loch Na Beaste but never flinched.
Said de Bromhead: “It looked like he was on a good mark and I’m delighted, Andrew gave him some ride.”
Shane Jackson, who took a heavy fall from Timmelman - suffering bruising - was stood down for two days.
Gordon Elliott and Paul Carberry continued their terrific run when teaming up with Wikaala to win the Beamish Stout Hurdle.
Gudnis Gracious Me, seeking a hat-trick, made a bold bid from the front and they were tactics which looked set to succeed for much of the journey.
Carberry had other ideas, however, and the issue was never in doubt once he eased Wikaala past early on the run in to score going away by two and a half lengths.
The Eoin Doyle-trained Without The Bop was best for money in the Waterford Farm Relief Beginners Chase and the confidence was well justified.
His jumping was a mixture of brilliant and sloppy, but there was no doubting the engine the Broken Hearted gelding possesses.
He made most of the running for Shay Barry, easing clear from the third last to beat Double Kudos by 15 lengths.
According to trainer Doyle, Without The Bop could reappear back here on Sunday in a handicap.
There were two false starts in this contest and the stewards decided that Shane Jackson (Home Island) had caused the first and Barry the second. They were both suspended for two days.
Andrew Lynch, who was sent spinning to the turf by Seefin Dancer, was stood down for 24 hours.
In-form Barry completed a double when giving the Pat O’Connor trained Turtle Gale a smashing drive to land the O’Neills’ Bar Handicap Chase.
Turtle Gale made all of the running, finding renewed reserves from two out to shake off Pacific Ocean and then hold Galway Legend.
Commented O’Connor: “He likes Tramore and wants good ground. He could come back here again on Sunday, I’ll see how he is.”
Willie Mullins’ Apt Manor, with two solid efforts at Galway under her belt, duly obliged in the Harneys’ Of Dunhill Bumper. She cruised ahead down in the dip and only had to be nudged by Patrick Mullins to easily beat Dancing Bird. Said Mullins senior: “She did what the form book suggested she should and will probably go for a maiden hurdle now”.
