Free World gives Moore landmark success
The seven-year-old, rated as high as 153 during his time with Paul Nicholls, was bouncing back from an early exit on his Irish debut at Tipperary and, confidently handled by Davy Russell, readily brushed aside the challenge of Schelm to triumph by three and a half lengths.
A delighted winning trainer stated: “I’ve known Mr. Smith a long time. It was great for him to send me two horses and I’m delighted to train a winner for him.
“The conditions of this race suited him well and a win like this should give him a lot of confidence. He’s a lovely horse to train, very straight-forward and the programme of chases here should give him a few more opportunities. He’ll go to Listowel now, for the Southampton Goodwill Chase over two and a half miles.”
Paul Nolan took the training honours, completing a fine double with Acapulco Gold and Gala Dancer.
Winner of his maiden over course and distance last time, Acapulco Gold, owned by Des Sharkey, swooped late under Andrew McNamara to foil Walden Prince by a neck in the featured E.P.S. Pumps 4-Y-0 Handicap Hurdle.
Nolan said: “It was hard to know what mark he’d have after winning his maiden here but the handicapper gave him a chance and shouldn’t be too harsh on him for this win.
“I’m delighted he handled that easier ground so well. I think he’d appreciate a more galloping track. He’ll have a crack at the valuable four-year-old handicap (the Lartigue) at Listowel now.”
Nolan completed his double when chasing debutant Gala Dancer made all under Paul Carberry to record a facile win in the concluding Mask Pavilion Beginners Chase beating Your Busy, his nearest rival throughout, by seven lengths,
The successful trainer explained: “We were going to keep him for Listowel but, after going up 14lb. for his win in Galway, there was no real point in staying over hurdles. He’s a small horse and this is a great place to start that type of horse over fences.
“Paul was happy with his jumping and felt that he learned a bit as he went along. He travels far sweeter with the blinkers. We’ll wait to see what mark he gets over fences. He’s not a horse to carry big weights and I don’t think we’ll run him in winter ground.”
Local trainer Michael Flannery continued his rich vein of form when Second Glance, narrowly beaten by stable-companion Long Wait in Roscommon last time, made all under Ian McCarthy to win the John Monroe Haulage Handicap Hurdle impressively by twelve lengths from Knickieran.
A jubilant Flannery declared: “She deserved that after so many near misses. Even when she was with Charlie (Swan), she had too many seconds to her name. But Charlie told me that we’d have lots of fun with her and we are. She’s owned by the Guthries from Castlebar so this is the right place for her to win. The ground was ideal for her.”
He added: “I only have six horses in training and they’re flying at the moment. Unfortunately, the only way is down !
“I hope the handicapper isn’t too hard on her. But she’ll probably run back on the flat next, maybe in Galway next Monday.”
It was a day to remember for Killenaule, County Tipperary-based Martin Hassett, who saddled his first winner since receiving his trainer’s licence in April when Nurse Ryan, ridden by his nephew Shane, defied top-weight in the McWilliam Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Hassett explained that he has been involved in horses all his life and admitted: “We have this mare since she was a foal. She went to the Sales twice and failed to sell and it’s her owners, Audrey Ryan and Damien Garvey, who must take all the credit for their patience.”
Willie Mullins has a good strike-rate with a limited number of runners in Ballinrobe and was on the mark again when Bundle Of Fun, ridden by Paul Townend, justified favouritism in the opening Tote Placepot Maiden Hurdle, beating Russian Regent by a length and a quarter.
Mullins’ representative Gary Davies said: “Two miles was a bit on the short side for him in Roscommon. Both the longer trip and slower ground helped him today.”
The familiar colours of J P McManus were worn by three of the ten runners in the Corrib Oil Handicap Chase and the champion owner proved successful, with the Christy Roche-trained 14/1 shot Stakes, which came from well off the pace to beat Carrleoni convincingly by four lengths.
The owner’s representative Frank Berry commented, “That’s a great surprise. He’s been a disappointing horse and was quite keen in Roscommon the last day so we decided to drop him in and get him relaxed.
“The plan worked well. Mark (Walsh) gave him a lovely ride and we’ll try to find another similar race for him.”
