Days Hotel makes light of lengthy absence
The son of Oscar hadn’t been since scoring in fine style at Punchestown in November of last year, but stripped fit and well to slam some useful rivals.
He was partnered by Philip Enright, who was enjoying his first ever success at Grade 2 level.
Favourite, Blazing Tempo, edged ahead going to the third last, but had no sooner got to the back of the obstacle than she was immediately beaten.
The winner then came there bombing to lead heading to the second last and quickly put it to bed, beating Realt Dubh by six lengths.
“That was great, he did it well’’, reported Enright.
“He will make a grand horse over the winter and will improve. He loves heavy ground and jumped brilliantly.’’
Those who traded at tight odds Noel Meade’s Road To Riches, in the Grade 3 Cork Stayers’ Hurdle, got some scare at the final flight.
He arrived travelling sweetly, but made a dreadful blunder and was lucky to remain standing.
Paul Carberry, however, was unperturbed and Road To Riches was quickly back on an even keel to easily beat Dushrembrandt, who wasn’t overly clever at the obstacle either.
Said Meade: “He got a bit lit up when I was saddling him. Paul felt he was too free early on, eased him back and then he was too relaxed.
“He’s one for next season and a chaser in the making. Gigginstown (owners) have a lot of horses to fit in, but he could go to Limerick at Christmas or to Naas in January.’’
Tarla was an even shorter price in the Grade 3 Irish Stallion EBF Lombardstown Mares’ Novice Chase, but on this occasion there was no escape for those who traded.
She was superb first time over fences at Clonmel, but was more workmanlike here, although looking sure to score heading the final fence.
Ruby Walsh allowed her lead six out and she had the contest in safe keeping rising to the obstacle.
Tarla jumped it perfectly, but buckled on landing and the chasing Cnoc Seoda also fell here.
That left remote third Great Oak clear to beat Our Girl Lucy, for as lucky a victory as you could wish to see.
Trainer, John Nicholson, cracked: “Christmas came today, that’s my first black type winner. She’s good and will make a nice brood mare.’’
Mark Enright, who continues to impress, was in the plate and he completed a double aboard Carlowsantana in the mallow.ie Handicap Hurdle.
This was a very fine piece of riding by Enright, who made all and saved plenty to easily resist See Double You by three lengths.
Davy Condon, who rode Thrupenny Blue in this contest, was found guilty of using his whip above shoulder height and suspended for one day.
Bryan Cooper gave Starkie, initiating a double for Henry de Bromhead, an excellent front-running drive to take the corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Strategic Bid ranged up as a big danger in the straight, but crashed into the second last and was always struggling to close down the winner after that, the verdict was half a length.
Tipped Up Harry squeezed home by a short from Thats The Dream in the Follow Us On Twitter Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Thats The Dream was decidedly unlucky, however, getting it all wrong two out, before rallying back strongly in the closing stages.
Bell Weir, ridden by Pat Collins for Eoin Doyle, easily won the concluding Bumper. The grey came from behind to lead over a furlong down and beat well-backed favourite, Aerlite Supreme.
