Russell misses two Tramore winners after Aintree fall
Russell was stood down at Aintree on Saturday, after taking a fall from Alfa Beat in the National, and it cost him two winners.
The first was Rising Time, who justified favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
Michael Doran was a more than able substitute, producing Rising Time to join The Folkes Choice over the second last.
Rising Time soon asserted and clearly had the measure of The Folkes Choice when that one fell at the final flight.
Trainer, Paul Nolan, returning from Aintree, missed the race and was represented by headman, Alan Dobbs.
Reported Dobbs: “She had a few niggling problems, but they seem to be behind her now and a mares’ hurdle at Punchestown will be next.”
Russell then missed out on the Robbie Hennessy-trained Magnetic Force, having a first outing since September, in the Tramore Racecourse.com Hurdle.
Tough Talkin Man made a brave attempt from the front, but Barry Cash powered Magnetic Force ahead at the last to score by half a length.
Commented Hennessy: “That was a great spare for Barry, he does a lot of schooling for us. This horse has been working with Rubi Light, so was fairly fit.”
Hennessy indicated that Rubi Light would run in the Tote Gold Cup at Punchestown next week, as long as there was plenty of rain on the lead-in to the contest.
Eoin Doyle’s Mazuri Cowboy, who ran below what was expected at Thurles previously, came back to his best in the Tramore Family Day Maiden Hurdle.
Given a confident drive by Michael Butler, he cruised ahead coming away from three out and was soon nicely in control.
Said Doyle: “He was very sick after Thurles and is only back in three weeks. I was worried about his fitness.
“We will park him up now and he will come back over fences at Listowel. That ground was as fast he would want.”
The Liam Burke-trained Ordinary Man arrived late on the scene for Shay Barry to take the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Chase.
He was only fourth heading to the penultimate obstacle, but soon began to close down the leaders.
Galant Ferns held a healthy advantage at the final fence, but got in tight and Barry grabbed the opportunity to power Ordinary Man past close home.
Burke wasn’t at the meeting, but speaking from Dromahane point-to-point said: “He will now go for a Grade 1 three mile novice chase at Punchestown.”
Arthur Moore’s Fever Pitch went off favourite for the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase and delivered under a copybook drive from Patrick Mangan.
The pilot was in no hurry, but once he asked Fever Pitch to lead at the second last the race ended as a contest.
Said Moore: “The good ground and extra trip suited him. It was Paddy’s first ride for me, so that was nice.
Annie Other was a strong favourite for the Graun Hill Suite Beginners Chase, hardening from 3-1 to 2’s.
This was her debut over fences and some sloppy jumping was certainly her undoing. Andrew Lynch stood in for Russell and Annie Other looked all over a winner when going to the front before two out.
But she ballooned this obstacle and Martin Ferris seized his chance to drive Character Actor past and, when the favourite got it wrong again at the last, the gamble was sunk.
The Bumper was won in game fashion by Line View, who found plenty for Brian Hayes driving to beat the dead-heaters Crocus Bay and Jupitor by half a length.
The son of Bach is trained at Bandon by James Dullea, who is in his second season with a licence. He didn’t manage a winner in his first season, but this was his fourth of the current campaign.
Said Dullea: “He’s a nice horse and we think a lot of him. He will go for a winners’ bumper and it could be at Punchestown. He wants nice ground, but not firm.”
