Casey sets the record straight on Apt Approach
David Casey was in the plate that day and yesterday at Tramore he got the chance to set the record straight when partnering Willie Mullins’ charge in the featured Holden Plant Rentals Chase.
Casey didn’t miss the opportunity and quipped immediately afterwards: “That makes up for knocking him at Punchestown!”
Apt Approach was always in the first two and had one of his main dangers effectively removed when Roi Du Mee blundered at the third last.
Tranquil Sea challenged in the straight and was on terms over the second last. But Apt Approach had plenty left and was quickly back in full control to score by an easy five and a half lengths.
Travelling headman Gary Davis represented Mullins and said: “That was a positive ride by David. The horse jumped well and got through the very bad ground.”
Firebird Flyer, fourth to Castle Wings at Limerick, made a quick reappearance to take the Ani Pets Veterinary Clinic Maiden Hurdle.
Promising claimer Brian Hayes drove Firebird Flyer ahead coming away from two out to beat Mazuri Cowboy.
The winner is trained by James Dullea at Bandon, Co Cork and carried the colours of Bandon lady Catriona O’Donovan.
Commented Dullea: “He’s a nice horse and wants a trip. I was a bit disappointed with him at Limerick, but he seemed to be better here than the last day.”
Arthur Moore was in reflective mood after his Pass The Hat, partnered by Barry Cash, had landed the David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle.
“Ten years ago we won a maiden here on New Year’s Day with Marcus Du Berlais and Barry rode,” said Moore.
Cash produced Pass The Hat with a strong run to lead at the final flight and prove too good for long timer leader American Flyer.
Moore added: “This is a nice horse for the future and, hopefully, will do half as well as Marcus.”
The Philip Rothwell-trained Spring Wine landed a little touch in the Richard Barron Memorial Novice Handicap Hurdle.
He finished sixth at the track on Saturday, over two miles and five furlongs, and clearly appreciated being dropped down to two miles.
Backed from 14-1 to 8’s, Spring Wine made every yard of the running, under a terrific ride from Ian McCarthy.
Catleen, having a first run for Willie Mullins, went off a well-backed favourite and, though powering through late, could never get to the winner.
Mullins, who had a number of setbacks at Fairyhouse, enjoyed his first success of the New Year when Vast Consumption initiated a double for him in the Curran South East Cleaners Handicap Hurdle.
John Joe Walsh’s Really Unique was all the rage in the ring, to follow up his easy win at Limerick, and looked all over a winner when cantering into the lead over four out.
But Vast Consumption, ridden by Emmet Mullins, soon emerged as the only danger and was always getting the better of the hot-pot from the last.
Vast Consumption carried the colours of Michael O’Neill, a farmer from Reenascreena, near Rosscarbery, Co Cork.
The Knockenduff Beginners Chase was a modest affair but threw up an impressive winner in Henry de Bromhead’s Beckwith Star.
He was ridden by in-form Philip Enright and shot away between the last two fences to score by 11 lengths.
Said de Bromhead: “Philip was super and it is smashing to have a winner for Herb (Stanley, owner), who has been a great supporter of the yard.”
Enright completed a double, his seventh success of the holiday period, on Big Jemmy in the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase, giving John Joe Walsh compensation for the defeat of Really Unique.
Big Jemmy battled on dourly to grab Son Of Moyne at the final fence and stayed on to beat his rival by a length and a quarter. “It was a moderate race, but he hates that ground,” reported Walsh.
