Dare To Doubt bounces back to form for Ruby
Bouncing back from a very disappointing effort, on the flat, in Leopardstown last week, the eight-year-old mare challenged on the inside of front-running Whodoyouthink (whose rider Mick Darcy was banned for three days for improper riding) after the third last, where the winner’s market rival Alpine Eagle had crashed.
Soon in front and in control, Dare To Doubt drew clear to triumph by nine lengths. Ruby commented: “She did what she was entitled to do, and her main danger fell. For a change, everything went to plan.”
Ruby’s double was completed when 2/1 favourite Our Girl Lucy made all to win the corkracecourse.ie Mares Handicap Hurdle in determined style from Lucky Pigeon, completing an across-the-card double for trainer Tom Cooper, successful earlier in the Downpatrick bumper with Queen Of The Hill, ridden by Mikey O’Connor.
“It was a good hour, north and south,” said Cooper. “She’s been knocking on the door and I spotted this mares-only race for her a few weeks back. She’ll probably go to Galway for another handicap hurdle and, after that, she’ll go chasing.”
After bringing newcomer and 11/8 favourite Digeanta from off the pace to beat Minella Reception by a half-length in the first bumper, Patrick Mullins admitted: “He got me out of trouble. I gave him a poor ride by being too far back. His wind is not great and it was tough to make up the ground. He’ll improve a lot on better ground.”
No such worries for Mullins onboard 1/7 favourite Tasitiocht in the winners’ bumper, the four-year-old Oscar filly taking command two furlongs from to beat Deep Trouble by five and a half lengths and prompting the winning rider to state: “That’s what we expected, although she didn’t like the ground. She was second to Glens Melody in Punchestown, giving her 10lb. Both fillies are a long way above average. She’ll go to Galway, for either the winners’ bumper on the Sunday or the amateur maiden on the Wednesday.”
Earlier amateur Darragh Lambe (20), from Mullingar, rode his first winner under rules when 20/1 shot Bourbon Ellie, trained by David Kelly, won the three-mile maiden hurdle.
