Dawn delivers after Capital tragedy
The winner travelled like a dream for Davy Russell and went to the front coming away from three out.
But Venture Capital ranged up as a big danger in the straight and the pair rose in unison at the final flight.
Venture Capital, however, took a crashing fall and, sadly, broke his back and had to be put down.
It was easy for Bright New Dawn after that and he eased away on the flat to beat Mala Beach and Jennies Jewel.
Trainer Dessie Hughes, said: “I’m very pleased with that. He needs Leopardstown, or a big galloping track, and wouldn’t be mad about this place.
“He won’t be going to Cheltenham, but please God will next year. If there is a two and a half mile race at Fairyhouse, he will go there, or else wait for Punchestown.’’
Said Russell: “In my honest opinion I think I would have won anyway, but it was going to be a real battle.’’
Russell enjoyed a treble, starting with Carrig Millie in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Beginners Chase.
He had her moving sweetly throughout and then produced Michael Cullen’s charge to grab longtime leader Chasing Shadows at the last.
“She will now go for a mares’ chase (Grade 3) at Limerick and just wanted a bit of better ground,” said Cullen.
Winner number three arrived aboard the hitherto rather disappointing Willie Mullins- trained Raise Hell in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle.
This was a weak contest and Raise Hell was very much in his comfort zone, proving far too good for Mr Cosmopolitan.
Commented Mullins: “He liked the better ground, we will probably keep him on the go for the summer and he will head out in trip as well.’’
Mullins landed a double when his easy to back newcomer, Daisy’s Gift, streaked away with the Bumper.
Partnered by his son, Patrick, the daughter of Presenting powered ahead over a furlong down to score by nine lengths.
“That’s a nice surprise’’, reported Mullins senior. “She will go for a mares’ winners bumper and race through the summer.’’
Mount Benbulben got his act together big-time with a fine display to land the Bet On Your Mobile With boylesports.com Chase.
He had been plagued by indifferent technique, but it was well nigh perfect here to score by 11 lengths.
It was a first success for rider Danny Mullins in Barry Connell’s colours since he was appointed as first jockey to Mount Benbulben’s owner.
The eight-year-old swept ahead over the third last and bounded clear up the straight to easily beat Lastoftheleaders.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “He has a fair engine, but his jumping has been letting him down.
“He won’t be going to Cheltenham and the plan is the Powers’ Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
“Travelling right-handed and the better ground helped. I’m delighted for Danny, he gave him a good ride.’’
Lambro was all the rage in the ring, 5-4 to 10-11. But he never went a yard, was beaten a long way from home and trailed in a remote sixth.
The cards could hardly have fallen better for Caheronaun, backed from 6-1 to 4’s, on her way to winning the Ballycahill Beginners Chase.
She was left in front when the favourite, He’s A Delight, blundered and was pulled up at the fourth. He’s A Delight broke a leg and had to be put down.
The sweet-jumping daughter of Milan then proceeded to make the rest of the running and when a danger appeared it soon disappeared.
At the second last, The Bosses Cousin was trying to mount a challenge when he fell. Then outsider, Pigeon Creek, was holding every chance when falling at the final fence.
Caheronaun was initiating a double for Dessie Hughes, later completed by Bright New Dawn in the feature.
Aine O’Connor, who is 21-years-of-age and comes from Askeaton, Co Limerick, rode her fifth winner when driving Thepartysover to a length success over Edmundo in the Tipperary Handicap Hurdle for lady riders.
The grey is trained by Ger Hayes at Moneygall, Co Tipperary and now heads to Stratford.
