Mossey Joe continues on upward curve with flawless display

THE imposing Mossey Joe lit up Cork last night with a flawless display to land the Dromahane Chase.

A huge horse, the son of Moscow Society could be anything and this was a performance which holds a lot of promise for the future.

Superbly handled by Barry Geraghty, Mossey Joe settled quite beautifully, which he hasn’t done in the past, and jumped for fun. Geraghty asked him to lead going to two out and wasn’t disappointed with the response. It was immediate and Mossey Joe quickened clear, without being asked any sort of question, to beat The Last Derby.

Geraghty was suitably impressed. “He a fair horse and beat good horses here”, he said. “At the moment he has a definite preference for going right-handed and was much more relaxed tonight.”

Trainer, Declan McNamara, reported: “Barry wants to give him more experience. The original plan was to leave him off after this, but I will talk to the owner and we will see.”

Course specialist Back Of The Pack ran her rivals ragged to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Chase. “She’s stones better here than anywhere else”, said delighted trainer, Colin Kidd, after Davy Russell had given the nine-year-old a powerful drive.

Russell allowed her to lead at the third and Back Of The Pack made the rest to beat Royal Choice and disappointing favourite, Coscorrig.

Continued Kidd: “Her jumping was unbelievable, that’s seven races she has won now and four of them have come here.

“We will have to consider a tilt at the Galway Plate, it is just a pity that race isn’t run here!”

Uncle Taffy, runner-up behind Like The Da at Down Royal, went one better in the corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Given a typically patient drive by Ruby Walsh, the winner came from well off the pace to creep into contention in the straight.

He landed in front at the final flight and was driven out by Walsh to beat Menwaal by half a length.

Noel Meade’s horses are in decent shape right now and he was on the mark again when Jakros strolled to victory in the Jason Fallon Live July 8th Maiden Hurdle.

Confidently handled by Paul Carberry, Jakros edged ahead going to two out and only had to be pushed clear to beat Miracle House.

Carberry completed a 49-1 double aboard Gordon Elliott’s Chino Valdes in the Probus All-Ireland Rally 2011 Handicap Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh’s mount, Ballintemple Star, went off the 3-1 favourite and ran prominently throughout.

He went for home over the fourth last, but could not resist the winner, once Carberry produced him at the last.

Selskar, nibbled at from 25-1 to 16’s and trained by Cormac Farrell at Bunclody, Co Wexford, arrived late on the scene to take the Mallow Town Summer BBQ Evening July 8th Beginners Chase. Partnered by Sean Flanagan, he carried the colours made famous by Dawn Run.

Lismakeery looked all over a winner early in the straight, but ballooned two out and was soon struggling, while Commandment flattered when landing in front over the final fence.

Robbie McNamara brought Giant’s Quest from last to first in the Bumper. Giant’s Quest got a super run up the far rail in the straight and was in control from the furlong pole.