Shield books place in Bumper
The Dylan Thomas gelding, ridden to a narrow victory over favourite Grecian Tiger by Kate Harrington, will be Aidan O’Brien’s first Cheltenham runner since Istabraq eleven years ago and will be a first Festival ride for champion flat jockey Joseph O’Brien.
Shield’s win proved the highlight on a day when both Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend were sore after falls in the chase action, opting out of the after racing work. Walsh sustained an ankle injury and Townend was advised to have a shoulder x-rayed. But Willie Mullins seemed relieved that neither injury looked serious.
Following Shield’s bumper success, when battling well to score by a half-length, Aidan O’Brien stated: “It’s very possible that he’ll go to Cheltenham. That’s what Joseph and the lads have been planning.
“When he ran at Punchestown, he had to finish in the first four to be even entered. He came on well from the run and did his job well today. He travelled and quickened well. Joseph will have to get special permission to ride him in Cheltenham but that’s the plan.”
Owner Michael Buckley was present to see Operating, trained by Jessica Harrington, land the opening maiden hurdle in convincing style after fellow joint-favourite Thunder And Roses, dictating the pace, was carried out by a loose horse at the fifth hurdle.
“He’s been crying out for better ground since Christmas and we had this maiden hurdle in mind for a while,” said Harrington, “He jumped much better on that ground and will be a lovely chaser next season. We’ll keep him for Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”
A return to Galway is the long-term plan for Fosters Cross in the wake of his impressive, 12 lengths defeat of favourite Blackstairmountain in the Ballsbridge Hurdle. Paul Townend tracked front-running Mount Colah to the second last before making his move at the second last after which the outcome was never in doubt.
Fosters Cross is trained by Tom Mullins, who said: “The pacemaker made it easier for him. He’s eleven and no better than the handicapper thinks he is. He might go for something minor at Fairyhouse or Punchestown. But the main target will be something in Galway.”
Tony Martin, who worked most of his Cheltenham team after racing, said: “He jumps very well — that’s his strong-point,” after Savello, ridden by Davy Russell, followed-up his Clonmel success by landing the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase from The Real Article and Cootamundra. Savello triumphed by almost three lengths, prompting Martin to add: “He used to be difficult and very free. But the hood has been a big help. He has copped on a bit and has grown up a lot.”
