Follow The Plan needs no plan
It was well nigh impossible to make any sort of case for the eight-year-old, but he scored on merit, under an inspired drive from Patrick Mangan, enjoying the biggest success of his career.
“We weren’t exactly expecting that,” reported McKiernan. “There are no plans and today wasn’t the plan either!”
The last fence was omitted, after Davy Russell had taken a crashing fall off Mossbank at the obstacle with a circuit to go. Russell was down for a long time, but, thankfully, escaped relatively unscathed, with no more than bad bruising.
Roberto Goldback jumped to the front over the third last and looked the likely winner for most of the straight.
The absence of the final fence, however, was probably no help and young Mangan produced Follow The Plan with a sweeping late challenge to get up close home and win by a neck.
Said McKiernan: “The ground wasn’t suitable, although it had dried out plenty since morning. He had leg trouble and was off for a year, but we didn’t rush him back.'
Biggest reception of the afternoon was reserved for For Bill, trained by Michael Winters for legendary Killarney chemist, Donie Sheahan, arguably the fittest and freshest 84-year-old in Ireland, after she had taken the Grade 3 The Ask And Getaway Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares' Novice Chase.
Russell was to have partnered her, but was replaced by Paul Carberry. Quipped Winters: “In ten seconds Donie had Paul booked, he didn’t even give Davy a chance to get up off the ground.”
And Carberry proceded to give For Bill a dashing drive, always having the trail-blazing Morning Supreme in his sights.
For Bill led three from home and the contest was effectively decided when Blazing Tempo blundered at the next when trying to mount a challenge.
“She was at her peak today, I had no worries and wasn’t a bit nervous,” said Winters. “She turned inside out since the last day here.
“There is a race at Limerick on March 13, but I would love to run her somewhere in between and will have to look at the calendar.”
The stewards were of the opinion that Cool Quest should have finished second and her rider, Kevin Coleman, who mistook the winning post, was suspended for five days and ordered to forfeit his riding fee.
Louisville Lip, who failed to win the flat, showed that jumping is his game with a fine debut over flights in the WT O’Grady Memorial Hurdle.
Handled with confidence by David Casey, he eased past the flattering market-leader, Maxim Gorky, going to the last. The winner jumped the obstacle in style, but stumbled slightly at the back, before picking up and going away again.
Trainer, Pat Flynn, said: “I really like this horse. He had schooled well, but it was his first time over hurdles and you are always afraid of their jumping. He could now go for a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Sunday week.”
Stan James gave Louisville Lip a 40-1 quote for the Triumph Hurdle.
Edward O’Grady’s Ruler Of All easily landed the opening maiden hurdle in the hands of Andrew McNamara.
Powered to the front before two out, he stayed on to beat well-backed Little Green by four and a half lengths.
“It’s better than finishing second the last two times, maybe blinkers helped his concentration,” said O'Grady. “He’s a lovely big horse and will go for a novice hurdle.”
Danny Mullins rode his first winner over jumps when guiding the hitherto disappointing Marlay Park to a clear-cut success in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Marlay Park, a drifter from 9-2 to 13-2, came there swinging in the straight and bounded clear on the run in to score unextended.
Marlay Park is trained by Mullins’ mother, Mags, and is owned by Barry Connell.
Commented Ms Mullins: “We will see what Barry wants to do, but he will continue over hurdles.”
David Casey, on the mark earlier with Louisville Lip, completed a 98-1 double aboard Concrete And Clay in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle.
Charles O’Brien’s seven-year-old, a good second at Leopardstown previously, forged ahead between the final two flights to beat Stony Grey Soil comfortably.
O’Brien said: “He has more metal in his front legs than the six million dollar man.”
The venerable 14-year-old Whyso Mayo showed their is life in the old dog yet when grabbing the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase for Damien Murphy.
Trained by Raymond Hurley, he won the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in 2006 and this particular contest the following year.
