Cause Of Causes edges thriller
Davy Russell dictated a steady pace on the odds-on favourite Midnight Game, tracked all the way by Davy Condon on the winner. Cause Of Causes was poised to challenge when making a mistake at the third last and, from that point, Russell appeared to be the happier of the two riders as Condon worked hard to challenge at the last on the eventual winner.
On the run-in, Cause Of Causes dug deep and forced his head in front in the dying strides to triumph by a short-head, the pair finishing twenty-three lengths clear of Hisaabaat.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott declared: “That was a bit of a cat and mouse race. A stronger pace would have suited — it would have given him something to run at. But he’s a tough, honest little horse and will go for the Betfair Hurdle in Newbury now (February 9). It’s sponsored by his owners and he escapes a penalty. After that we’ll look at something for him at Cheltenham — he’s still a novice so we have plenty of options.”
Cause Of Causes was the first leg of a double for Elliott, completed when the well-backed 3/1 favourite Barneys Honour, formerly trained by Philip Rothwell, coasted to a comfortable, four lengths win over Chestnut Charlie in the Meath Handicap Hurdle, completing a double for Paul Carberry.
“He was a long time off with a leg and had a nice first run back in Limerick,” commented Elliott. “So I thought he wouldn’t be far away today. His owner, who is from Tinehely, had an engagement party last night and couldn’t get here.
“I didn’t think at any stage that he was going to win,” admitted trainer Noel Meade after Paul Carberry brought the J P McManus-owned favourite Blissful Honour from well off the pace (only eighth turning for home) to foil newcomer Mr. Cosmopolitan in a fast-run 2013 Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle.
The 15/8 shot swept into the lead on the run-in to score by almost four lengths, prompting Meade to add “He’s been a bit disappointing. I thought the blinkers might help him, but I don’ know if they made any difference. In fairness, he doesn’t like that heavy ground and wants further.”
The colours of J P McManus were back in the winner’s enclosure after odds-on favourite Alderwood (Mark Walsh) emerged from the fog and mist tom beat Prima Vista readily in the beginners chase.
Alderwood, winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and a Grade 1 novice at Punchestown last spring, was having only his third run over fences and delighted trainer Tom Mullins. “It turned into a bit of a slog, but I’m very happy with that, delighted to win with him again.
“Mark said he hated that heavy ground and we’ll keep him away from it from now on. He might run in a handicap between now and Cheltenham,” and, when asked about his Festival target, Mullins replied: “That wasn’t an Arkle performance, so I’d say we’ll be looking at one of the handicaps.”
The featured Foxrock Cup Handicap Chase went to the Brian O’Connell-ridden Rich Revival, trained by Liz Doyle, whose partner Barry Murphy commented: “It’s great to get such a good pot with him. He loves that deep ground and, although we felt he was given a harsh enough mark, the handicapper got it right.”
Rich Revival got the better of Fever Pitch by a head, with favourite Saoirse Dun third, and will be aimed at a “better class handicap” next month.
Ruby Walsh, back from a brief suspension, triumphed on his only ride at the meeting — 7/4 chance Suntiep in the Navan Golf Course Maiden Hurdle, a gruelling test over two miles and seven furlongs.
It was only in the last hundred yards that Walsh’s strength on the Ungaro gelding saw him edge ahead of Hard To Swallow, which he beat by a length and three-quarters.
Suntiep, winner of a Limerick bumper in his only previous start, is trained by Willie Mullins, who said: “That’s his game — jumping and staying. He’s an out and out stayer and we’ll keep him to three miles. We might look at something at Fairyhouse over Easter for him.”
The bumper provided a moment to savour for English-based building contractor John Reddington (40) who, having his first ride, partnered his own Oscar gelding Agent James, trained by Charlie Swan, to victory over the Mullins-trained favourite Wicklow Gold.
