Warrior outbattles Solwhit
An easy winner of a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse last time, a well-timed confidence-boost after a crashing fall in Down Royal, Bog Warrior asserted from the third last and, when chased by six-time Grade 1 winner Solwhit (having his first run in almost two years), stayed on stoutly to triumph by six and a half lengths.
Bog Warrior’s performance delighted his trainer Tony Martin, who commented: “I’m thrilled with that. It’s great to get a couple of wins with him after what happened in the north He’s had a few problems in the past, so we’ll see how he is in the morning. I’ll have to discuss plans with the lads (Michel and Eddie O’Leary). There are lots of options open to him.”
Martin and the owners must decide whether to continue campaigning the Strategic Choice gelding over hurdles (Paddy Power gave him a 12/1 quote for Cheltenham’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle), or revert to chasing, with the likes of next month’s Hennessy an option.
Charles Byrnes, trainer of Solwhit, expressed his satisfaction with the eight-year-old’s comeback run and confirmed that, although he’ll be entered for the Irish Champion Hurdle, which he won in 2010, Solwhit will have his next outing in either the Limestone Lad Hurdle in Naas (January 19) or the three-mile Galmoy Hurdle in Gowran Park (January 24th).
Davy Russell completed his New Year’s Eve double for Gigginstown in fortuitous circumstances, when Hartside, trained by Noel Meade, landed the Festival Hospitality On Sale 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of Hazariban.
Hartside was a remote second behind odds-on favourite Fatcatinthehat, which had made all and jumped impeccably for Ruby Walsh, when the clear leader crashed at the final flight, leaving Russell’s mount to score by eight lengths.
“That was a good way to end the year, even if he was lucky,” said trainer Meade. “He’s a grand little horse and has done well since he joined me after winning three on the flat for Tommy Carmody, although he looked as if he was thinking about it when he was left clear.”
The Fatcatinthehat team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh had enjoyed better luck in the opening, three-mile Buy Your 2013 Annual Membership Beginners Chase when the well-backed Vesper Bell opened his account over fences in impressive style at the second attempt.
Having tracked uneasy odds-on favourite You Must Know Me (subsequently found to be lame after a blunder at the penultimate fence) Ruby made his move on Vesper Bell after the third last and, in command turning for home, the six-year-old galloped on relentlessly to slam Carry Each Other by fifteen lengths.
Willie Mullins said: “He jumps and stays and loves those conditions. He looks made for the four-miler (Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase) and that is his target.”
Successful earlier with the previously frustrating Chasing Shadows in Tramore, Curragh trainer Dessie Hughes and owner Michael Moore complete an across-the-card double when Canaly successful reverted to hurdling in the Buy Your Tickets On Line Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Bryan Cooper, the Bob Back gelding kept longshot Mallowney at bay in determined style, prompting Hughes to comment: “He won his beginners chase well the last day and I wasn’t keen to pitch him into a hot novice at this time of year. The handicapper had dropped him and given him a chance over hurdles. So we took our chance. I hope he’ll be competitive in some decent novice chases in the spring.”
A whopping 17lb. higher than when winning the race last year, the Denis Hogan-trained Luke’s Benefit pounced late under a strong ride by Brian Cawley (picked up a two-day whip ban and must attend RACE for a day) to complete back-to-back wins in the derekoneill.com Handicap Chase.
The versatile grey got the better of Itsuptoyou, to the delight of his trainer, who explained: “I didn’t jock myself off — the handicapper, Noel O’Brien, did. So I decided to claim off him. Brian gave him a great ride and timed it right.
“We’ll mix it with him, hurdles and fences. There’s a suitable race in Naas for him next Sunday (which he won last year) and he might go there, unless it comes too soon for him.”
Odds-on favourite Sacre Malta (found to be lame) flopped in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, in which the Ryan Treacy-ridden World Citizen prevailed by a short-head over Corbally. The winner provided trainer Dessie McDonogh with a welcome boost.
The mares bumper was won in convincing fashion by the Pa King-ridden Our Pollyanna, trained by Prunella Dobbs, who said: “She a nice, very genuine mare and has developed hugely since last year. She’ll run in a winners’ bumper and won’t go hurdling until next season.”
