Bullock Harbour battles to victory
Strongly handled by Robert Power, who only returned to action after some two months on the injured list the previous day, the winner went to the front over the second last.
Rattan was soon challenging, but could never quite get on terms and was half a length adrift at the line.
Winning trainer Jessica Harrington wasn’t at the meeting, but owner Barry Connell, reported: “Robbie said that ground is as soft as he would want, he’s definitely better on a nicer surface. A winners’ of two at Listowel looks the obvious race for him.”
Harrington’s The Quiet Hawk ran out a ready winner of what looked a moderate Beamish Irish Stout three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
An easy to back 12-1 shot, she joined issue two from home, soon led and eased clear for Mark Bolger to score by three lengths.
Course specialist Alderwood took the McSweeney Arms Hotel Handicap Hurdle, which means he has now scored at all three of the festivals held at the track this season.
The seven-year-old could be mapped as the likely winner a fair way out, so well was he travelling for in-form Mark Walsh.
Memories Of Milan was close up going to the final flight, but crashed out here, although he did appear to be held at the time.
Commented Mullins: “He ran too free in the Galway Hurdle. If the handicapper isn’t too hard we will chance him in another handicap.”
Original Option was a good order from 4-1 to 3-1, in the Killarney Oaks Hotel Beginners Chase, and duly obliged under a superb Paul Carberry drive.
Trainer, Noel Meade, admitted afterwards, however, that he was less than optimistic. “I was worried about his jumping,” revealed Meade. “But Paul schooled him over 15 fences yesterday morning and he can teach a horse more in one schooling session than many lads can in a week.”
Derinlaur made a brave attempt from the front, but Carberry had his rival covered a fair way out and this was over once the winner was given an inch of rein coming away from the second last. A novice chase at Listowel is now on the agenda for the Anshan gelding.
Delphi Mountain may have been a 25-1 shot in the Kelly Foley And Co In Association With Lloyd Fitzpatrick and Accountants Beginners Chase but won with plenty in hand.
He cantered ahead for trainer-rider Denis Hogan approaching the home turn and was never in the slightest danger up the straight.
Said Hogan: “He’s a good horse, but has been plagued by injuries. He has a screw in his knee and you think every day could be his last day!”
Edward O’Grady’s Armaramak was driven clear between the last two fences by Andrew McNamara to land the www.lakehotel.com Handicap Chase.
“Given the number of seconds he’s had, he deserved to get his head in front,” remarked O'Grady.
“I was a bit worried about the ground, I think there is a race at Listowel which will suit him.”
Sword Of Honour, bred to win a Derby and owned by Sue Magnier, made a stunning debut in the J And B O’Sullivan Builders Ltd Bumper.
He came out of Ballydoyle and is now in the care of Pat Flynn. Partnered by Derek O’Connor, the winner toyed with the opposition in the straight to score with his head in his chest.
Flynn was represented by Eoghan Norris, who said: “We weren’t sure he was fit enough on that ground and he will probably come on for the run.”
