Crowe on a high after Hill’s last-gasp success
Raised 19lb. for wins at Punchestown and Wexford, and tackling three miles for the first time, the five-year-old Alderbrook gelding looked destined for third spot jumping the final obstacle. But a combination of Cross Appeal’s mistake, Ad Idem’s tendency to idle and tire and Crowe’s persistence contributed to Groody Hill’s tenacious half-length win.
Frank Berry, representing winning owner J P McManus (who enjoyed a treble at Navan and another success at Wexford), was quick to pay tribute to winning rider Crowe, who guided Jack The Bus to victory last year, explaining: “Alan deserves a lot of the credit. This horse has been a bit tricky from day one and Alan has done a lot of the work to sort him out. Neither horse nor rider gave up today, although I thought he’d finish third jumping the last.”
Berry also confirmed the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on December 27 as Groody Hill’s likely next target.
The McManus colours were also carried to victory by the Noel Meade-trained Formidableopponent in the two-mile maiden hurdle and Down Under, trained by Francis Flood, which justifies hefty support (4/1 to 11/4 favourite) in the Dunderry Handicap Hurdle.
Meade’s charge came from well off the pace, despite appearing uneasy in the testing ground, to foil Mount Cola, prompting Meade to explain: “Paul said he hated the ground and was struggling down the back. But we’ve always regarded him a very nice horse and he won’t run again in those conditions.”
No such fears for the Gordon Elliott-trained Mount Benbulben which landed the Grade 2 Irish Form Book Monksfield Novice Hurdle under Davy Condon (picked up a three-day ban for excessive use of his whip).
The Ruby Walsh-ridden Rebel Fitz made a gallant attempt to make all and had most of his rivals struggling before the second last. But Condon produced the Barry Connell-owned winner with a strong challenge on the run-in to score by a length and a half.
“He loves that ground and will have no trouble stepping-up in trip,” stated Elliott. “He might come back here for the Grade 1 next month, or we might find something for him over Chrstmas.”
Runner-up to the classy Bog Warrior on his chasing bow over course and distance recently, the Peter Casey-trained Flemenstar (Andrew Lynch) went one better in the beginners chase, making all and jumping impeccably to beat High Desret by nineteen lengths, earning a crack at the Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown on St. Stephen’s Day.
