Ruby drives Regardless to victory
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, he carried the colours of John ‘Joker’ O’Donoghue and Sean Ahern, who are both from Knockraha, Co Cork.
Somethingdifferent looked sure to score when cruising ahead coming away from the third last, but heading to the final flight it was apparent that Walsh was getting a real tune from the winner.
Gradually, Drive On Regardless was getting there and he stayed on strongly to master the leader close home and score by a head.
Mullins wasn’t at the meeting, but joint-owner O’Donoghue was a more than able representative for all concerned.
“It all comes to those who wait,” he exclaimed. “This is what dreams are made of, Willie training, Ruby riding and us owning.”
Mullins completed a double when Glens Melody, ridden by his son, Patrick, was hugely impressive in winning the Bumper, making it three from three.
She never left second gear, cantering into the lead over a furlong down to trounce the 17lbs receiving St Maxime.
Said Mullins junior: “She is quite special, I haven’t ridden many like her, she has loads of gears.”
The Tipperary Racecourse Supporters’ Club Maiden Hurdle was won in smooth style by Dessie Hughes’ Whispering Hills.
Partnered with typical confidence by Bryan Cooper, Whispering Hills eased to the front over the second last to easily beat Flaming Hymn.
Said Hughes: “It’s been a long time coming, he’s had a lot of problems, but is brand new again. He stays well and will go for a winners’ of one and, hopefully, to Galway.”
JP McManus enjoyed a 1-2 in the Like Tipperary On Facebook Chase, but it was the wrong way round for punters.
Victory went to the easy-to-back 7-1 shot Alpine Eagle, absent since last year’s Galway festival, who proved too strong for favourite, Shot From The Hip.
Alpine Eagle was behind early on, but improved to lead over four out for Andrew Leigh and was always in charge in the closing stages, despite getting in tight to the last.
McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry, reported: “He burst at Galway and that’s why he’s been off.”
Henry de Bromhead continued his rich vein of form when Catcherinscratcher made most to take the Tipperary Racecourse Supporting Tipperary Excel’s Simon Ryan Theatre Beginners Chase,
Davy Russell took no prisoners, driving the mare for all he was worth when the need was greatest and winning a trifle cosily in the end.
Said de Bromhead: “Fair play to him (Russell), he gave her a forceful ride, which is what she needs.
“She will now go to Killarney for a two miles and six novice chase, which we won last year with Fort George.”
Robert Tyner’s Mirador Del Conde stayed on doggedly through the ground for Philip Enright in the Follow @TipperaryRaces On Twitter Handicap Chase.
Enright powered him into the lead turning in and a mistake at the second last made no difference, as he eased away to beat Ard Agus Fada.
“It will be more of the same, another handicap chase, and he could go back over hurdles at some stage,” said Tyner.
The Youth Raceday At Tipperary Handicap hurdle was a modest affair, but saw Moonlight Sapphire score with any amount in hand.
The seven-year-old coasted ahead for Sean McDermott going to the last and the two and three parts of a length she had to spare over Special Bar was no reflection of her superiority.
