Ryan star foils rivals
A tremendous money-spinner for the Fairyhill-based trainer in recent seasons, Foildubh pounced under a patient Paul Carberry between the last two fences and eased clear to beat the favourite by a length and three-quarters.
“That’s the first time he got good ground in a good race and he showed what he’s made of. He’s a fair horse on better ground and so tough that he gives everything, even on heavy,” stated a delighted Ryan.
“It’s a team-effort at home (referring to his two daughters) and this makes it all worthwhile.
“He finds another gear on that ground and Paul said he had plenty left on the run-in. Everything came right today and it was lucky that Paul was available to ride him. We might take on the big boys now in Punchestown (in the Grade 1 Boylesports.com Champion Chase). He’ll give a good account of himself, if the ground is good. Before that, if he’s okay, he’ll probably run in the Webster Cup (Grade 2) in Navan on Saturday.”
The Bookies enjoyed a ‘skinner’ of a result in the opener, the Grade Weatherbys Ireland GSB 4-Y-0 Hurdle when One Fine Day, 16/1 outsider of he four runners, displayed too many gears in the closing stages for the Willie Mullins-trained pair Djakadam and Dogora.
Ridden by Robbie Power, One Fine Day came from last to first — quickening to lead before the final flight and stretching clear to triumph by three-and-a-half lengths, to the delight of trainer Jessica Harrington, who trains the Choisir gelding for her husband Johnny.
The successful handler explained: “The ground made all the difference to her. She hates heavy ground and didn’t jump a hurdle in it all winter. Robert said she jumped much better today and was able to use her speed. She’ll go for the Grade 1 at Punchestown now and will run on the flat through the summer.”
Running in only his second handicap, the Dessie Hughes-trained Captain Arceus bagged the valuable www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle narrowly from Sizing Machine.
Bryan Cooper produced 12/1 shot Captain Arceus to lead at the final obstacle before emerging a short-head superior to the battling runner-up after a titanic battle.
Trainer Hughes confirmed: “It was a good performance, in only his second handicap. The quicker the ground the better he is. He’ll go for the €80,000 handicap in Punchestown (the Setanta.com Handicap Hurdle). I’ve always felt he’d be better over two and a half miles.”
The Nicky Henderson-trained Nadiya De La Vega maintained the winner-a-day record at the meeting for J P McManus and A P McCoy when justifying 7/2 favouritism in the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial Mares Chase.
McCoy poached a clear lead after the third last and the French-bred mare stayed on stoutly to beat Avondhu Lady emphatically.
Frank Berry explained: “It was a lovely race to win with her. She likes a bit of room and AP kept her wide and gave her plenty of daylight. Nicky is delighted to win this race — he was a good friend of both John and Mrs Fowler and is very sorry he couldn’t be here.”
The McManus colours were back in the winner’s enclosure after 5/1 favourite Sword Fish, trained by Christy Roche and ridden by Alan Crowe, got the better of Good Fella in the Fairyhouse Committee Handicap Chase before surviving a Stewards Enquiry.
The Timmy Hyde-trained On Blueberry Hill landed the valuable Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper under Kevin Power. The Flemensfirth gelding, described by Timmy Hyde Jnr. as “really good” beat Some Hawk, prompting Hyde to add: “He has always worked very well. We fancied him for his point-to-point, but things didn’t go his way.”
Liam Lennon, who saddled a winner at the Loughanmore point-to-point yesterday, was not present to see 2/7 favourite Tammys Hill, ridden by James Smyth, return to winning form in the Joseph O’Reilly Memorial Hunters Chase.
Tammys Hill won comfortably, without being impressive, and will now renew rivalry with arch rival and dual Foxhunters winner Salsify in the champion hunters chase at Punchestown.
