Leader back to winning ways - three years later
“It’s been a long three years,” declared Hanlon in the winner’s enclosure as he reflected on the serious tendon injury sustained by Western leader at Aintree in 2010.
“If the vets had their way, they would have put him down. But Barry insisted that they save him, even if we only had him as a pet. So it’s great to have him back.
“He was always a good horse and was always going to be a chaser. He jumped like a buck today and it’s a great way to start the New Year. We’re afraid to do too much with him at home, so it’s a case of one day at a time with him.”
Gordon Elliott, successful with Roi Du Mee in the listed chase at Tramore, completed an across-the-card double when Tarquinius followed-up Saturday’s win in Leopardstown by landing the Fairyhouse Members Handicap Chase, providing amateur Davy O’Leary with his first racecourse success.
Elliott said: “It wasn’t ideal running him back so soon. But he went up 12lb. and Davy’s claim was valuable. He’s as slow as a hearse by stays galloping and, if he sneaks into the bottom of the Thyestes, he’ll go there.”
The mother-and-son combination of Mag Mullins and Danny Mullins, successful three times at Leopardstown last week, struck again in the opening New Year Maiden Hurdle when 2/1 favourite King Of Firth made all to beat Pyrus Gold Wind by two lengths.
“The plan was to drop him in, but Danny said nobody wanted to go on,” said the winning trainer. “He was green the last day (behind stable-companion Anonis in Leopardstown last week) and again today, but he’s an improving horse.”
The Jessica Harrington-trained Annie Oakley landed the Bobbyjo Bistro Mares Maiden Hurdle in convincing style, prompting winning rider Robbie Power to comment: “She’s tough and honest and loves the game. She jumps and stays and will stay three miles. She’ll be a better mare next year.”
Dessie Hughes followed-up his across-the-card double on New Year’s Eve when Wise Oscar justified hefty support under Bryan Cooper in the Special Offers In Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle.
Backed from 5/2 to 6/4, the nine-year-old looked in trouble when scrubbed along before the third last but closed gradually before taking command between the last two flights and winning, eased down, by eight lengths from Miss Xian.
Hughes commented: “He really goes in very heavy ground, which very few horses like. He just kept going and the others seemed to stop. He might win another, over hurdles or fences and seems to have a new lease of life since he joined us — they all seem to improve for a change of scenery.”
In the other handicap action, Speed Dial showed his liking for Fairyhouse when bouncing back from a St. Stephen’s Day defeat in Down Royal to land the Start The New Year At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle under another well-judged ride by Tim Carroll.,
The bumper produced a rousing battle between locally-trained pair Eight Chimes and Mad Brian, victory, by a length, going to the Tony Martin-trained, Alan Berry-ridden grey Eight Chimes.
Martin said: “He hadn’t done much before the last day (his debut), but is one to look forward to over fences — he’ll make a lovely chaser. He’s still very unfurnished and might have one more run this season. We’ll be in no hurry with him.”
