Memories of Milan rewards strong market support
Taken at 3-1 in the morning, he was returned the 11-8 favourite. Barel Of Laughs made most of the running, but the winner found plenty from the final flight and was half a length to the good at the line.
Said Queally: “A three mile novice hurdle at Fairyhouse might be next, he seems to stay well. He’s not overly big, so may well stay hurdling.”
Carroll (19) landed a double when enjoying his first ever success over fences aboard Scouting Party in the Comeragh Beginners Chase.
Scouting Party led two out, but got in tight to the last and then had to be hard-driven to hold Sea Stallion and Souvenir Royal.
“He’s a good horse, but has problems”, said trainer, Michael Mulvaney. “He probably won’t run again this season and we’re hoping to make him a candidate for the Troytown (Navan).”
Bryan Cooper offered further evidence of his growing talent when giving Dessie Hughes’ Datokepe a dashing drive to take the first division of the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle. Heavily supported in the ring, Datokepe could be mapped as the likely winner a fair way from home.
Absent since disappointing at Thurles in November, the seven-year-old powered ahead going to two out and Rattan was never going to close him down, the verdict five lengths.
Cooper and Hughes combined for a 77-1 double when Schinkel (25-1) took the second section of the same contest. Again the teenager was seen to advantage, producing his charge to sweep clear of Luke’s Benefit from the last. Schinkel paid almost 30-1 on the Tote.
The defection of No One Tells Me saw Killultagh Queen go off at cramped odds in the Clonmel Mares’ Beginners Chase.
Those who played, however, were in trouble as early as the third fence, as she crashed into the obstacle.
Emmet Mullins, though, gave her time to recover and Killultagh Queen was very much back in contention heading to the last.
She was a close third rising to the fence, still travelling reasonably well, but blundered again and this time went tumbling to the turf.
Pretty Happy, who forged on early in the straight, then kept going for Robbie Moran to beat Annie May by three parts of a length.
“She loves it round here and we will now try and pick up something small somewhere”, said winning trainer, John Berry.
Jacks Island, who appeared to be in trouble heading to the home turn, found real reserves for Declan Bates to storm clear from the final fence to win the Racing At Clonmel On Holy Thursday Handicap Chase.
“My horses are back healthy again, this has been the worst season of my life, from a racing respective”, reported trainer, Philip Rothwell. “He’s a tricky old fellow and Declan gave him an absolutely super ride.”
Adrian Murray, absent supervising Cass Bligh at Aintree, missed seeing his Tilly Ann win the Hospice Go Racing April 21st Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Partnered by the capable Robert Jones, the daughter of Turtle Island lengthened away in the closing stages to easily beat Maryiver.
