Moon shines in Galway Hurdle
For the next twelve months or so, however, it didn’t seem to be the most intelligent of comments, but in the Guinness Galway Hurdle yesterday Moon Dice proved Flynn more than correct with a clear-cut four and a half lengths defeat of Fosters Cross.
For Longford handler Flynn (32), who has held a licence for just three years, this was far and away his biggest success to date. Mind you, as a jockey, he did win a Hennessy on Whats Up Boys at Newbury for Philip Hobbs.
Said Flynn: “My horses have been running terrible and everyone was saying I hadn’t a winner for six weeks. But that’s as good as they are and this fellow is easily my best.
“I thought he had a chance, but didn’t expect him to win like that. I would have been happy if he made the frame.
“This is unbelievable. He is best fresh and will have a break now and come back for Cheltenham in November. Chasing is going to be his game, but he won’t do that until next season.”
Fosters Cross, hero of the big flat handicap here on Monday night, made a brave attempt to complete a famous double.
But the much under-rated Tom Doyle had him well in his sights going to the last and drove Moon Dice up to challenge.
The winner landed marginally in front and then stormed clear on the flat, with Fosters Cross second, in front of Dirar and The Real Article.
“That was brilliant”, said Doyle. “This is why you get up every morning and go to work, to be here, it’s the richest race of the year.
“My biggest worry was his jumping, but he never missed a beat. He loves that good ground and should make a fine chaser.”
Fosters Cross ran out of his skin, but just could not match Moon Dice from the back of the final flight.
Second, however, paid the not inconsiderable sum of €52,000, to go with the €45,000 earned on Monday.
The controversial The Real Article went off the well-backed 3-1 favourite. But he was far too keen and free and couldn’t pick up when asked to do so by Patrick Mangan.
He kept going well, though, and was only beaten a short head for third by Dirar. The handicapper raised him by 18lbs for that short head defeat by Captain Cee Bee at Tipperary, so it will be interesting now to note his next move.
The rest of the card belonged to Dermot Weld, who landed a spectacular four-timer. It took his total for the week to eleven, equalling his record of last year and with three days to go.
Weld’s Daffern Seal, having only a third ever outing, gave an exhibition of jumping on his way to taking the Perfect Pint Beginners Chase.
Partnered with total confidence by Robbie McNamara, he made most of the running and only had to be pushed out to beat Traffic Article by five lengths.
“He has been schooling well with my only other chaser, Majestic Concorde, and the plan was to make it or be handy”, reported Weld.
“I hope he’s a horse with a big future over fences, but will always want good ground. That was a lovely ride from an amateur!”
Weld’s Rock Critic, off the track since last September, ran away with the Guinness Time Handicap.
The 11-4 favourite looked in trouble for a few strides down in the dip, but on straightening out lengthened in style to win by a whopping five lengths.
“He loves this place and will be back here on Saturday to carry a mandatory penalty in the big handicap”, said Weld. “He has schooled well and you will see him in a maiden hurdle some time.”
A massive gamble went astray on Joanna Morgan’s Ted Dolly, having a second outing at the meeting.
Backed from 13-2 to 3-1, he flattered briefly off the home turn, before his effort petered out, fading back to third spot.
Winners ten and eight for Weld and Smullen respectively arrived in the next when Anam Alta, taken from 6-4 to 6-5, obliged in the Arthur Guinness EBF Fillies Handicap.
This was vintage Smullen, as he sat off a generous pace, before swooping late to deny front-running Crystal Morning by a length and a quarter.
“She is not the easiest of rides, Pat was very good”, remarked Weld. “She will now go for the seven furlongs Listed Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.”
Weld’s Teach Nua looked a ridiculous 6-4 shot in the Arthur’s Legacy Handicap, but all logic flies out the door with the man at this meeting.
Despite meeting trouble in running, Teach Nua stormed ahead off the home turn to beat Norah Starr.
“He’s a horse who has had leg problems”, said Weld, before adding: “we will have to start from scratch again tomorrow.”
Davy Russell particularly enjoyed guiding Tavern Times to victory in the Arthur Guinness Novice Hurdle.
Trained by Tom Mullins, he is owned by Paul Duffin, Russell’s agent, Frosty Kelly, and the rider’s father, Jerry.
Commented Russell: “That was very important and helps to repay my father for all of the times he brought me here on holidays.”
The progressive winner, always traveling sweetly, was asked to lead coming away from two out. Endless Intrigue tried to close him down, but was always fighting a losing battle.
Said Mullins: “He nearly cut the leg off himself one day at Naas, but is getting his confidence back now. I will ship him on over fences as soon as I’m told to do so.”
Danny Mullins rode his second winner over fences, the first came aboard the same horse at Roscommon on May 14, when driving Down in Neworleans to victory in the Guinness Summer Series Novice Chase.
It was a three-cornered tussle of the home turn, but in the end Down In Neworleans showed much the greater resolution to forge three and a half lengths clear of Gracchus.
Mullins’ mother, Margaret, trains the winner and said: “That was his first run since Roscommon and I was a little worried he wasn’t ready enough. I’m delighted with him and he could come back here in August.”
Trainer-Mullins landed a double when Cairdin justified favouritism in the Bumper. It wasn’t the best of contests and Cairdin had to get the full Patrick Mullins treatment to beat Law Rebel.
* The crowd was 42,789, which was less than the 44,418 who attended a year ago. Down it may have been, but has to be regarded as an astonishing performance, given the times in which we live.
