Russell shows class as Oilily streaks home
The track certainly had an unique atmosphere, with some 2,000 students on site for their annual day out.
Oilily was partnered with patience by Russell, after easy-to-back Won In The Dark was, surprisingly, allowed bowl along at the third. Castle Wings took over at the second last, but Oilily was cruising and had this nicely in control from the final flight.
Trainer Sean Byrne said: “She took a while to come back to herself after Aintree (April). She might now head for a mares’ hurdle at Punchestown.”
John O’Shea and Sean McDermott are a much underrated combination and they struck with a vengeance in the UCC SU Handicap Hurdle with Novarov.
He was backed through all the rates from 11-2 to 11-4 favourite and, given a fine drive by McDermott, flashed up the far rail close home to grab Daring Article.
Commented O’Shea: “That was a savage ride from Sean, he can be tricky. He will now go for a two mile and six at Fairyhouse and a three miler at Punchestown and seems to handle most ground.”
Tabhachtach came from a seemingly impossible position to land the Explicit.ie Maiden Hurdle in the hands of 24-year-old Mark Slevin, enjoying a fifth success.
Trained by his father, Shay, the winner nailed the flattering Mystic Desir, not helped by getting it wrong at the last, in the final stride.
Commented Slevin senior: “The jockey was the most important thing, this horse is not an easy ride. He handles goodish ground and will keep going for the summer.”
Mark Me Up was a desperately unlucky loser of the CIT SU Handicap Hurdle. He was galloping all over front-running On My Own heading to the last, but made a dreadful blunder and it was a minor miracle he didn’t hit the deck.
Mark Me Up rallied back in tremendous style, but the post arrived too quickly and he was still a head adrift where it mattered.
Philip Fenton trains On My Own and said: “We had all the luck on our side there. He’s going to the sales at Doncaster in May, but will jump a fence before then.”
The hitherto frustrating Taraval found the opposition to her liking when taking the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Always near the front for Brian Cawley, she found plenty for pressure coming away from the second last to beat Mallowney.
Trainer Charlie Swan reported: “She is a half-sister to Oscar Whisky and will now visit Flemensfirth. We will run her away while she is in foal.”
Robert Tyner’s newcomer, Lughnasa, landed a little touch in the Bumper, sweeping through late to grab the flattering favourite, Director’s Forum.
The well-bred daughter of Westerner was backed from 12-1 to 7’s and was given a fine drive by Colin Motherway.
She is owned by Salome Brennan, the lady who bred Tyner’s decent mare, Whatwillwecallher.
Said Tyner: “She will now go for the big fillies bumper at Punchestown.” And that race, of course, was won last year by Whatwillwecallher.
Liz Doyle continued her good run when Sir Loujay ran away with the Fegentri World Championship Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Mark Byrne — this was a second for him — Sir Loujay powered ahead off the home turn and was soon clear to score by nine lengths.
Byrne, however, was suspended for two days for using his whip unnecessarily when clearly having the race won.
Said Doyle: “He likes nice ground and is just coming to himself.”
