Ainama gets home in rousing battle
Realistically, a dozen horses held prospects turning for home. But, in the final battle, it was 10/1 shot Ainama, trained by Niall ‘Boots’ Madden and strongly ridden by his son ‘Slippers’, which got home in a rousing battle from the Davy Russell-ridden Campbonnais (carrying 1lb. overweight), with the always prominent mare Our Victoria a closed third.
“That was great and you’d have to be delighted,” stated the winning trainer, who took charge of the eight-year-old from Nicky Henderson.
“He’s a handy little horse and everything was right today — ground, trip and the fences. Niall gave him a great ride — he took his time and was strong when it was needed.
“This horse ran a nice race, but was a bit unlucky in Listowel last week. This was the obvious pace to bring him. After this, I suppose we might think about the Galway Plate.”
David Casey and Baily Green repeated last month’s course and distance success when making all to win the Dermot Hughes Toyota Car Sales Novice Chase with a fine display of jumping.
The Mouse Morris-trained gelding dictated the pace and always looked in command, ultimately beating Galloping Gander by four lengths, with disappointing favourite Absolutlyfantastic third.
“He was good,” stated Casey. “He felt fresh and well and he’s a quick jumper, which is ideal for a track like this. I was a little bit worried about the ground, but he handled it well and had a bit in the tank. I don’t know where Mouse will go with him. But I’d say he’ll always be at his best on a flat track.”
Later, the horse Baily Green beat here last month, the Willie Mullins-trained Laganbank recorded an emphatic win in the first division of the Roscommon Beginners Chase.
Always close to the pace under Sunday’s French Champion Hurdle hero Ruby Walsh, the even-money favourite was in front before halfway and, jumping well (with the exception of the fourth last and second last), had his rivals in trouble a long way from home before beating only serious market rival Cairdin by nine lengths.
The winning rider commented: “He was unlucky here the last day. I knew he was fit and well, so I was happy to be up there, out of trouble. He jumped well and did it nicely. He handles better ground, so I imagine he’ll be kept on the go for the summer, with Galway, Killarney and Listowel in the plan.”
Another enterprising ride paid off in the second division of this event as the Robert Power-ridden Bullock Harbour did the business, making virtually all and holding Oscars Business by three-quarters of a length with Loughnagall a close third.
In the absence of winning trainer Jessica Harrington, owner Barry Connell commented: “I was worried when I got texts about rain and softening ground, because he’s a summer horse and wants decent ground. He’s always had scope for fences. I felt jumping won it for him today. We’ll try to find a suitable novice for him — he might come back here, or go to Killarney, where he won before, or Galway.”
