Future looking better for All Star
The well-backed favourite Campbonnais (7/2 to 11/4), one of three runners owned by race-sponsor Michael O’Leary, whose father Ted died on Thursday, filled third spot.
Registering his second win over fences, Future All Star had headed Flemrosss when that rival made a mistake at the final fence, two lengths separating the pair at the line.
Winning trainer Colm Murphy enthused: “That was great. It’s a great pot to win in the middle of summer. He was probably a bit unlucky to come up against a well-handicapped horse last time, when he go to the front a bit soon and idled.
“Everything fell right for him today - the extra distance and a good gallop. So John (Cullen), riding his first winner for us, was able to take his time and arrive late. He’s had his share of problems over the years and has been called a few names in his time.
“Future All Star is still a novice, so we have plenty of options for him. We’ll see how the handicapper reacts to this win before making plans, but he’ll probably go for another similar handicap.”
The judge was unable to split the Gordon Elliott trained favourite Trendelenburg (Paul Carberry) and Willie Mullins’ often disappointing Otay Kawn (David Casey) after a tremendous tussle in the Irish Stallion Farms Beginners Chase.
Connections of both horses were happy to settle for a share of the spoils, Eliiott commenting: “A dead-heat is grand, great for the lads who own him, a group that includes my dad, my uncle and a bunch of lads from Summerhill.
“This fellow doesn’t really have the scope for jumping fences. But he kept going well for Paul and I’ll try to find a little novice for him across the water next.”
Willie Mullins, trainer of Otay Kawn, which was completing a double for David Casey, was not present but commented by phone: “This horse can be a bit dodgy so I’m delighted he won. David gets on well with him and got him jumping well. He’ll mix-it for the rest of the summer and we’ll keep him to the country tracks, particularly over fences.”
Mullins completed a double when Capisci, a very uneasy favourite, made all to land the bumper impressively under Katie Walsh.
A beaten favourite in his only previous outing, at Gowran Park back in February, the Eamonn Duignan owned Tikkanen gelding dictated the pace and forged clear in the straight to beat Sids Choice by thirteen lengths.
The Tom McCourt trained, ten-race maiden Black Rock Lake proved a lucky winner of the opening Athlone Maiden Hurdle, the first leg of David Casey’s double being left in front by an incident at the third last flight to beat Miss Nomer emphatically by thirteen lengths.
The Paul Carberry ridden leader and favourite Mejd crashed at the third last obstacle, bringing down his two nearest pursuers Rusty Halo (Davy Russell) and Burma Rock (Andrew Leigh) and opening the door for Casey’s mount, which was chasing the leaders at the time.
“Things had to go right for her sometime,” declared winning trainer McCourt. “She’ll probably go to Galway for a two-and-a-quarter mile handicap hurdle - the hill should suit her.”
No such drama in the Tom McCormack Memorial Mares Maiden Hurdle won in good style by Annie Other, representing the father and son combination of Pat and Jack Doyle.
It was a fitting result for trainer Pat Doyle on an evening sponsored by Michael O’Leary, for whom he breaks and pre-trains young horses. He said: “That’s the first winner Jack has ridden for me as a professional. He’s only over for the day, because he’s gong back to ride at Market Rasen tomorrow.”
Doyle added: “She’s not a bad mare and loves that quick ground. We’ll try to find a winners of one for her, as long as the ground doesn’t change. She’ll jump a fence in time.”
Eddie O’Connell, enjoying a good summer, was on the mark again when Benifitthewest, trained in County Galway by David Kelly, ran out a convincing winner of the Coola Handicap Hurdle.
O’Connell delivered his challenge on the inside of the flattering Warcraft to lead at the second last flight before drawing clear to slam Run Along Boy, prompting trainer Kelly to comment: “I’m delighted for the lads that own her - they’re locals, from Castlegar. She had such a light weight that I fancied her today. She’ll probably run in Galway now.”
