Maguire on a high as Kite storms home
Maguire, to his credit, had made no secret of the fact that he expected a major performance from his 20-1 shot, and he could hardly have been more right.
Shane Hassett was in the plate and gave the eight-year-old a smashing drive. Golden Kite made most of the running, but was staring defeat firmly in the face all the way up the straight.
Fisher Bridge was cantering all over him and it very much looked a question of when Davy Condon popped the question.
But Golden Kite is made of stern stuff and simply refused to surrender. Fisher Bridge didn’t find as much as he threatened to do and, with Hassett throwing everything at his partner, Golden Kite was still in front at the line.
Golden Kite carried the colours of Anthony Calnan, a doctor from Bandon, Co Cork. Said Maguire: “He’s a horse who would burst his heart for you, was given an outstanding ride and is owned by a gentleman.
“We will enjoy today and then see where he goes next. Good ground is the key to him. The Irish National would be an option.
“I’m not so sure about Aintree. He jumps well, but doesn’t have much size about him and I’d be afraid he’d catch the top of one of those obstacles.”
For Maguire, as least as far as prizemoney was concerned, this was his biggest success as a trainer. It was also the biggest to date for Hassett, who is 22 years-of age.
Dancing Tornado, runner-up in the Kerry National at Listowel, went off the well-backed 9-4 favourite. However, his jumping was poor and he never held out much hope for supporters.
English challenger Cornas toyed with the opposition on his way to taking the Grade 3 PricewaterhouseCoopers Chase.
He was hardly ever out of second gear for Daryl Jackob, as Let Youtself Go took them along in front. Let Yourself Go, however, hit the sixth last and had no more to offer off the final turn, as Cruising Katie edged ahead.
But Cornas was soon in total control to score with plenty in reserve by three lengths.
Reported Jacob: “I’m very happy with that and the pace set by Paul (Carberry) suited my horse.
“He needs to find five or six lbs to join the better league and seems to have improved. I probably got to the front too soon, he pricked his ears and didn’t do a whole lot.”
The rapidly improving Patrick Neville-trained Macville was impressive in landing the Greenmount Park Novice Hurdle.
Drumfire, who is rapidly becoming expensive to follow, coasted ahead going to two out, but produced little once Paul Townend asked the winner to go past after the final flight.
Commented Neville: “She is improving all the time. We were going to send her over fences, but she will now stick to hurdles for the moment.”
Robbie Power, who took a fall off Tango Knight, was stood down for the rest of the day.
Mr Cracker, trained by Michael Hourigan for the Gigginstown House Stud, made an excellent start over fences in the STL Logistics EBF Beginners Chase.
His jumping, for Paul Carberry, was quick and accurate and Mr Cracker had little difficulty dismissing the challenge of Warne.
Nine were due to face the starter in the Harrison O'Dowd Solicitors’ Hurdle, but only four met the engagement. One was reported lame, two were absent due to stone-bruises and two others because of the ground. That left Cross Appeal to try and make all the running.
He fought it out for most of the straight with Flying Bella, before Tommy Treacy brought Gimli’s Rock with a late surge to beat both of them.
Matthew Bowes added to his growing reputation with a fine display aboard Ikansea in the Isobel Boutique Adare Handicap Hurdle.
Favourite Giant Sequoia looked to be in charge coming away from the last, but Bowes was having none of it and forced the winner past close home to score by three parts of a length.
Super Daisy, successful at Navan previously, powered home for Andrew Leigh to beat Tulachsarain in the Oakbruce Properties Handicap Hurdle.
Leigh, however, was found guilty of using his whip excessively and suspended for two days.
