Tranquil Sea strikes oil again
A fair gamble went astray on Tharawaat, taken at 4-1 in the morning and returned at 7-4. As a result the winner drifted to as high as 11-8 and was returned at 5-4.
Tharawaat set off in front, but his jumping didn’t impress and he appeared decidedly lacking in enthusiasm.
Barry Geraghty powered Tranquil Sea past early in the straight and Edward O’Grady’s charge was soon in control to easily beat Psycho.
“I had it in mind that if won here he would go back to the John Durkan at Punchestown, a race he also won last year”, said O’Grady. “The alternative would be the Grand Sefton (Aintree).
“Barry said he took a blow at the top of the hill, but once he got air into his lungs felt he had plenty of horse to win.
“He schooled at Punchestown and was disappointing, but then did two very nice pieces of work at home. Hopefully, he will go forward for this.”
Willie Mullins’ decision to turn out Blazing Tempo so quickly, after finishing third to Kauto Stone at Down Royal on Saturday, reaped a rich dividend when she landed the Grade 3 T.A. Morris Memorial Mares’ Chase.
This was an eventful contest, with long-time leader, Our Victoria, hitting the deck, when still in front, two out.
Blazing Tempo was badly hampered, as Shop Dj moved on. But she fell at the last, bringing down the challenging Definite Class in the process.
The mayhem saw Blazing Tempo, ridden by Ruby Walsh, getting back into the contest and she stayed on to beat Gentle Alice.
Commented Mullins: “I thought coming down the hill Saturday’s race had taken it out of her. She only ran back so quickly because I could see nothing for her in the coming weeks.”
O’Grady and Walsh combined to land respective doubles when Out Now easily won the Prior Park Service Station Handicap Chase.
He jumped like the proverbial buck, led five from home and the issue was never in doubt from that point.
“He has been very disappointing, but seemed to get it right there”, remarked O’Grady.
Noel Meade’s Texas Jack maintained his unbeaten record, winning a third race in-a-row, in impressive fashion in the INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle.
Make A Track edged ahead going to two out, but Davy Russell’s best efforts to get Texas Jack off the bridle were fruitless.
Paul Carberry arrived with a double handful on the winner, he joined issue at the last and eased away on the flat to score unextended by a length and a quarter.
Said Meade: “He’s rolling along nicely. We were going to take him to Cork over three miles, but he showed enough speed in his work and there was no need to do that. We will have to think about a Grade 1 at Navan now.”
James Motherway has done a terrific job with Irish Soul, who completed a hat-trick with a game effort in the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle.
Produced by Patrick Mangan to hit the front before the last, Irish Soul kept finding to hold the persistent challenge of Some Target.
Motherway was absent — on his way to Cheltenham — where Define will represent the stable in a handicap hurdle tomorrow.
He was represented by his father, David, who said: “This horse has been a revelation and has improved with every run. He will go for another hurdle, but his future is over fences.”
Dul Ar An Ol, a creditable third to Ten Bob at Naas, ran away with the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered by Ben Dalton, he cruised ahead going to two out to score by six and a half lengths.
“He’s a great old horse and wants this ground”, reported trainer, John McConnell. “In his early days, he used to get very wound up, but has calmed down a lot.”
Punters were left licking their wounds after Willie Mullins’ newcomer, Moon Over Mandalay, was sunk without trace in the Bumper.
Backed from 8-11 to 1-2, he found little for Patrick Mullins pressure in the straight, trailing in a well beaten third behind the Robert Tyner-trained Its The Ice I Like.
The son of Oscar forged away for Gerry Mangan over two furlongs down to score with plenty in hand.
Robert’s wife, Mary, did the honours and said: “He will go for a winners’ bumper and then it will be hurdles.”
