Pires shows best form to land Cork feature
Patiently handled by Paul Townend, the eight-year-old came from off pace to master front-runner Echo Bob at the final fence before forging clear to triumph by six-and-a-half lengths.
“He’s not really a two-miler, but Paul gave him an excellent ride and got him settled and jumping,” commented trainer Martin. “He’s a fair horse on his day, but has been a bit unlucky. And this was a nice pot to win.”
The riding honours went to Robbie Power, who completed a double on Dumbarton, trained by in-form Gordon Elliott, and 2011 Galway Hurdle winner Moon Dice, which opened his account over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase.
Power steadied the Paul Flynn-trained Moon Dice (a faller in his last two starts) to negotiate the final fence, lost momentum and was headed briefly by Page Turner before rallying to score by a neck.
“He was a bit slow at the last, but he’ll improve and just needs to get some confidence,” said trainer Flynn. “He’ll be alright in time. And we might head to England with him, for some good ground.”
A half-brother to Sir Rembrandt, the Robert Tyner-trained Dushrembrandt (Philip Enright) proved best in the three-mile INHS Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle, holding Love Rory by a neck.
The six-year-old, virtually ignored at 16/1, will return to the Mallow venue foe a Grade 3 three-mile novice event in December.
Ruby Walsh salvaged one winner from his visit to Mallow, partnering the Tom Mullins-trained top-weight King Of Queens to victory in the Racinghomeforeaster.com Handicap Hurdle.
And Paul Carberry availed of a spare ride on The Boat People (deputising for Andrew Lynch, sore after a fall in Cheltenham on Saturday) in the Christmas Party Raceday Handicap Hurdle. Henry de Bromhead’s charge pipped Masked Phantom by a nose.
