Wood evokes memories of Butterfly
By Epsom Derby hero, High Chaparral, her mother was the high-class Like-A-Butterfly, who died recently of colic.
Ma Belle Amie went on over the third last, but the winner was cantering all over her up the straight and it was only a matter of when Alan Crowe said go. He eased Speckled Wood ahead heading to the final flight and she soon surged clear to score by four and three quarter lengths.
Frank Berry represented trainer, Christy Roche, and owner, J P McManus, and said: “It is great to have one coming on after the death of her mother. She will go for a handicap, or a winners of one.”
Willie Mullins, making his way home from the unveiling of the Grand National weights in London, missed seeing his long-absent Rolly Baby stroll to success in the Thurles Maiden Hurdle.
The horse hadn’t run for 825 days, but that made no difference, as he picked up the flattering Follow The Sign before the last to score with his head in his chest.
Rolly Baby was partnered by Ruby Walsh, who said: “Willie is some trainer, it’s not the first time he has done something like this.”
Mullins was on the mark again when the rather frustrating Are Ya Right Chief got the full Walsh treatment to land the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Are Ya Right Chief and Davy From Milan went toe-to-toe all the way up the straight, with Walsh driving his charge for all he was worth to win by a head.
“He battled well, not many horses can defy that 8lbs penalty (for winning a bumper)”, said Walsh.
And then he added: “The trainer (Mullins) can have the first one, but I’ll take this.” It really was a fair comment.
Mikey Butler, who rode Davy From Milan, was found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and failing to give his mount time to respond. He was suspended for six days.
The Eoghan O’Grady-trained Unoccupied, ridden by Philip Enright, took the Killinan Handicap Hurdle.
The son of Old Vic was in front jumping the last and had his task considerably eased when the challenging Vincent Row departed at the flight.
Unoccupied carried the colours of Eamonn Hickey from Mount Uniacke, near Killeagh in Co Cork.
Hickey, along with his brother, Ger, owns Hickey Commercials at Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.
Denis Hogan rode Drishogue Lad for Noel Brett to finish sixth in the Clonmore Handicap Hurdle, but up in front the horse he trains, Luke’s Benefit, was streaking home in the hands of Brian Cawley.
The grey 11-year-old made every yard of the running and has this in safe keeping a long way out. Reported Hogan: “Brian’s claim was a help, he is a big asset to the yard.”
Hogan completed his first ever double as a trainer, this time he did the driving himself, when Missie Elle battled on doggedly to resist War Correspondent in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle.
“She’s gutsy, but big and weak”, commented Hogan. “She had a hard race there and will get a break now, this is a chaser in the making.”
Band Of Blood, trained by Philip Fenton for Gigginstown House Stud, kept finding for Richie Kiely to wear down The Pounds and grab the Bumper by a head. “He will definitely go for a winners’ bumper, I was very worried when the rain came”, said Fenton.
