Gift Of Dgab makes excellent chasing debut
His jumping was just about perfect, fast and accurate, and he had most of the opposition on the stretch a long way from home.
The Engineer and Wilde Wit Pleasure never gave up the ghost in the straight, but the front-running winner had long flown and crossed the line a whopping 17 lengths to the good.
Tony Martin’s charge was superbly handled by Davy Russell, who continues to blaze the trail in the jockeys’ championship.
This was his 60th winner of the campaign and he is now 18 clear of nearest challenger, Barry Geraghty. Gift Of Dgab was returned at even money, after as high as 9-4 was available in the morning.
Commented Russell: “He was brave and will be better in a better race. I wanted him to go back on his hocks at some of the fences, but he wouldn’t, so I let him do his own thing.”
Willie Mullins’ Rockyaboya, ridden by his son, Patrick, made a successful debut over fences in the Munster Beginners Chase.
He had his task eased when Odonimee — in front at the time — fell two out, but the winner was rapidly closing that one down in any case.
“His point-to-point experience came into play there”, said Mullins senior. “It looks like he might be better at this game than as a hurdler.”
Tell Dawstown, trained by Debbie Hartnett at Donoughmore, Co Cork, took the Christmas Festival December 26-29 Maiden Hurdle.
Powerfully handled by Shay Barry, he winged the last and was always holding Tellherimnothere on the flat.
The five-year-old carried the colours of Dawstown, Co Cork based auctioneer Dan Fleming and won a point-to-point at the owner’s local track.
Said Hartnett: “He’s always had loads of ability, but his jumping has come on no end. He will now go for a novice or a winners’ of one.”
Tell Dawstown was a 20-1 shot and it got better for the layers in the next, the Munster Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, with victory going to the Sean Aherne-trained Rossa Parks at 25-1.
Beautifully handled by Patrick Mangan, the winner quickened well from the back of the final flight to outspeed long-timer leader, Sligo Publican.
“I’m not surprised, she’s not the worst and had a nice run the last day”, said Aherne. “She might run in a handicap hurdle at Thurles on Thursday.”
The stewards inquired into the performance of eighth placed Days Of Glory in this contest and, as a result of their deliberations, pilot Kate Harrison was suspended for four days.
John Joe Walsh was responsible for the runner-up in the first two races, to go with a second here on Sunday, but it came right for the trainer when Really Unique took the first division of the Greenmount Annual Membership Handicap Hurdle.
Sent on coming away from three out by Philip Enright, Really Unique got in tight to the last, but it made no difference and he was too strong for Stonehatchetmad.
“I counted him an unlucky loser the last day”, reported Walsh. “He didn’t get away and had to come from behind. Another handicap will be next.”
And, of course, Walsh proceeded to win the second section of the same contest as well with Big Jemmy, also ridden by Enright.
The strapping son of Oscar Schindler pulled out plenty up the straight to beat Satwa King. “He will go chasing now”, said Walsh. ” He loved the bit of good ground, had a wind operation and soft ground kills him.”
Willie Mullins’ Bundle Of Fun was a short price in the Friends Of Greenmount Handicap Chase, but could only manage second spot behind 12-1 shot, Hidden Present.
He seemed to lose his footing momentarily early on the final circuit, made a couple of minor errors soon afterwards and was always fighting a losing battle to close down the Andrew Lynch ridden winner in the closing stages.
