Classy Carberry at tactical best
Carberry was seen at his tactical best, making every yard of the running on both horses. And the victory of Osirixamix over odds-on favourite Lastoftheleaders in the Olympics & European Football, Handicap Hurdle provided compensation for connections following his last fence fall in last month’s Hilly Way Chase in Cork, when he was set to slam the long-odds-on favourite and ill-fated Golden Silver.
Osirixamix dictated the pace, jumping far more fluently than the Paul Townend-ridden favourite, which was bidding to give trainer Arthur Moore an across-the-card double following the success of Pass The Hat in Tramore.
But, when he came under pressure, Lastoftheleaders never looked likely to peg back Carberry’s mount, which stayed on to win emphatically by almost three lengths.
Osirixamix is trained for enthusiastic Dub Tim Fitzgerald by Tony Martin, who commented: “He deserved that after being so unlucky in Cork. He’s a fair horse on his day. But things have to go right for him. And they did today. Paul was very good on him.”
Earlier, Gordon Elliott was also full of praise for Carberry after Dont Back Down, in the Gigginstown House Stud colours, made all and held the challenge of odds-on favourite Lord Gale by a neck in the opening Bobbyjo Bistro Maiden Hurdle.
The Presenting gelding built on a recent third at Navan. And Elliott suggested: “It probably wasn’t a great race and he did it the hard way. Paul gave him a great ride. He’s a slow horse, but keeps galloping. And we’ll probably step him up in trip now.”
An eyecatcher on her debut at Naas before being bought by JP McManus, Woodville Lady swooped late to foil Double Double in the New Year Maiden Hurdle, providing Christy Roche and Alan Crowe with their second success in 24 hours, following A Country Girl’s win in Tramore on Saturday.
A daughter of Oscar, Woodville Lady won cosily by a length and threequarters, prompting Roche to quip: “I’m sorry I sold her last week.”
Mags Mullins saddled her second bumper winner of the week (Mumbo Jumbo scored at Leopardstown last Thursday) when the well-backed The Westener Boy romped to an impressive victory in the finale.
Having set the early pace, the strapping five-year-old, winner of his point-to-point in Lisronagh, was headed by Empire Of Dirt soon after halfway before edging ahead again turning for home. And, shaken up by Patrick Mullins (riding his fourth bumper winner of the week), he stretched clear to slam Irish Thistle by twenty lengths.
Winning trainer Mullins enthused, “He’s a lovely big horse, a real chaser. And he could be serious. I have no real plan for him. But I have to say that he was very impressive today.”
Trainer Dessie Hughes, recovering from back surgery, received a timely tonic when Frisco Depot, ridden by Bryan Cooper, prevailed by a neck over Aitmatov in the Ratoath Community Beginners Chase, with less than two lengths covering the four finishers. Joint-favourite Lios A Choill was pulled up after blundering badly three from home.
Frisco Depot got the better of the flattering Dantes King before holding Aitmatov’s late surge. The winning rider said: “He jumped well for a first-timer over fences. But that wasn’t a surprise — he has schooled well. He didn’t enjoy the ground and had a good blow after the third last. But he filled his lungs again, kept going and battled well. He’s a good prospect and will improve from this.”
Upped in trip, the Francis Flood-trained In Great Form repeated a recent course win when defying the handicapper in the Fairyhouse Members Handicap Chase.
A second winner on the day for JP McManus, the progressive seven-year-old came through strongly under Mark Walsh to brush aside the challenge of The Hard Hat and the renewed effort of Andrea’s Answer.
Fran Flood Jnr commented: “It’s always good to win. He impressed me today and must have improved from the last day. The longer trip definitely suited hi, because all he does is gallop. And he jumped better too. We’ll have to talk to Frank (Frank Berry, Racing Manager to the owner) and see what he wants to do next. Anther three-mile handicap will probably be the plan.”
In the other handicap action, Brian O’Connell partnered Galant Ferns to a convincing win over Askmeroe in the Costa Coffee Dock Handicap Hurdle, denying Paul Carberry, rider of the runner-up, a treble.
Liam Kenny’s eight-year-old mare, runner-up on a recent visit to the track, stretched clear turning for home and scored by five and a half lengths, Kenny commenting: “We’ll see what the handicapper does. But I think she’ll be going back over fences.”
