Drama as Cootamundra justifies odds-on
Backed into 10/11 favouritism and given a typically cool ride by former champion Walsh, John Berry’s charge was challenging and almost alongside Sligo when that rival crashed, hampering eventual runner-up Carbon Credit and third Dizzy Rascal.
Ruby Walsh’s reins were snapped by the flailing legs of the faller and, after passing the final fence, Cootamundra hung left across the track before scoring by five lengths, prompting winning trainer Berry to comment: “That has been threatening for a long time and we had the right man on board today. He’ll keep going through the summer.”
The Walsh double was completed when Redera coasted to a smooth success in the six-runner Wellingtonbridge Novice Hurdle, quickening effortlessly to head front-running Echo Bob approaching the final flight before quickening clear to win by four and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Tony Martin enthused: “He’s a grand, handy horse that likes summer ground and tight tracks like Killarney and here. It couldn’t have gone any better — they didn’t go fast. Ruby was able to follow them around and use the horse’s flat speed. He has a bit of toe and will mix-it for the summer, flat and hurdles.”
Walsh completed his treble and provided Martin with a double when Somatic, a full-brother to classy stable-companion Psycho and winner of a point-to-point two years ago, made a successful debut over fences in the Courtown Beginners Chase.
Produced to challenge Goban Saor at the last, Walsh’s mount edged ahead on the short run-in to score by a length. Martin said: “His jumping won it for him. He was brilliant. He jumped like a handicapper against novices. We’ll try to find another novice for him during the summer.”
Successful with Virgil Earp at Wexford, Noel Meade completed an across-the-card double when Cloudgazer, backed from 4/1 to 5/2 favouritism, landed the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden at Navan. Ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, the Dalakhani gelding kept Aragorn Icon at bay by a length.
“He’ll improve again when he steps up in trip to a mile and a half or a mile and six,” said Meade. “He’s a horse I’ve always liked, but he has been slow to come to hand.”
The Ger Lyons-trained Casbah Rock notched his fourth win from six starts this season when defying the handicapper, again, in the Peter O’Brien Landscapes Handicap.
Johnny Murtagh was allowed dictate the pace on the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding and made all to slam Mundher by three lengths, prompting Lyons to comment: “He’s tough and very straight forward. He’s entered again at Leopardstown next Thursday and, if the ground stays on the fast side, he’ll run there.”
Shane Foley grabbed the riding honours, completing a double on the Jim Culloty-trained Cry For The Moon in the Live Music After Racing Apprentice Handicap and Ken Condon’s Footcycle.
