So Young set to rise in trip after Thurles romp
Ruby Walsh allowed him stride along from the start and the classy French-bred never left second gear to easily beat a gallant Noras Fancy by six lengths.
Commented Mullins: “He did it nicely, but I have nothing planned. I’m thinking he needs a rise in trip and will have an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle (Cheltenham) and at Aintree and Punchestown.”
Stan James and Boylesports left So Young unchanged at 20-1 for the Stayers.
Quarryvale, carrying the colours of Thomas O’Flynn from Ballyclough, Co Cork, shrugged off top weight to take the Gift Horse Gallery Horse And Jockey Hotel Handicap Chase by 22 lengths.
Trained by Jimmy Mangan and partnered by his son, Patrick, the mare gave an exhibition of jumping and front-running and had this safely wrapped away early in the straight.
“She will go to Limerick on St Stephens’ Day for another handicap”, reported Mangan senior. Quarryvale will have a mandatory 6lbs penalty to carry.
Another to defy top weight was Tim Doyle’s Jolily, ridden by Martin Burke, in the Molony Cup Handicap Chase. In front going to the second last, Jolily battled on dourly to beat Cochise.
Said Doyle: “That’s a grand race to win, this is a famous cup around these parts. He is consistent, tough and honest and will run again in a few weeks.”
Willie Mullins’ short-priced favourite, Bundle Of Fun, was most disappointing. He blundered at the ninth and was out of contention when pulled up before six out.
Is Herself About followed her recent success on this track with a smooth victory in the Gift Horse Gallery Horse And Jockey Hotel Mares’ Hurdle.
The only worry for those who traded at tight prices came when she got the penultimate obstacle all wrong, but was well clear at that stage and was quickly back on an even keel for Davy Russell.
Trainer, David O’Brien, reported: “She’s improving and we will try and get black type for her now.”
Danny Howard punched the air in delight, after driving the Malachy Hassett-trained Archie Meade to land the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle.
It was perfectly understandable, considering Howard hadn’t ridden a winner since partnering Follow The Plan to land another maiden hurdle on this track in March of 2008.
Archie Meade certainly found plenty for Howard’s urgings, staying on far too strongly for Jack Bene in the straight.
“He won a point-to-point at Kinsale and had a good run at Punchestown last time”, said Hassett.
Shrapnel, backed from 7-4 to 5-4, never promised to deliver and was struggling a fair way from home.
Trainer, Eoin Doyle, had cause for a double celebration. He saddled Lookoutnow to take the Exit 6 To The Horse And Jockey Novice Handicap Hurdle, after his wife, Gemma, had presented him with a baby boy, Noel, at 7.30 in the morning.
Lookoutnow, ridden by Michael Butler, made every yard of the running, digging deep to resist the persistent challenge of the favourite, Rockyaboya.
“He’s a tough horse and stays well on that ground”, said Doyle. “He’s in at Christmas, but probably won’t run for a few weeks.”
Willie Mullins’ newcomer, Douneve, was all the rage in the Bumper, going off at 2-5, but proved no match for 11-1 chance, Tidy Zag.
Trained by James Grace and ridden by Damien Skehan, Tidy Zag was calling all of the shots through the final two furlongs to score by six lengths.
