Game Silk strikes a blow for Armagh
Partnered by Eddie O’Connell, the winner did it the hard way, making every yard of the running.
He was challenged up the straight by the market principals, Steps To Freedom and Fosters Cross, but kept finding for O’Connell and was comfortably in front at the line.
Commented Lambe: “He was third in a Scottish Champion Hurdle and didn’t become a bad horse overnight.
“We put blinkers on him during the week and they worked the oracle. The horse has been a little lazy.
“People might have thought it was pie in the sky running him in a Grade 3. Today was the plan, to see if the blinkers would work. He is likely to go to Galway now for a two mile and six.”
Davy Russell came up with the quote of the day, after partnering long odds-on Make Your Mark, carrying the Gigginstown House Stud colours of Michael O’Leary, to a facile success in the Ballykisteen Hotel And Golf Resort Hurdle.
“He’s a real Ryanair horse, he thinks he can fly”, quipped the champion jockey. Russell was referring to some really hair leaps by the winner in the early stages of the contest.
Make Your Mark, however, gradually warmed to his task, eased ahead after four out and was soon in complete control. “I’d love to ride him over fences”, said Russell.
Ruby Walsh then moved into a clear second for the aforementioned quote of the day, after taking the Packie Downey Memorial Chase aboard Laganbank.
The winner eased ahead just before two out, but got very low at the obstacle and did well enough to survive. “He frightened the shite out of me”, quipped Walsh. Both Laganbank and Make Your Mark are trained by Willie Mullins.
The Bumper cut up badly with two of the better-fancied horses, Bach to Whitingbay (scoped wrong) and Some Officer (ground), missing the race.
That left hot pot, Devils Bride, with little to beat and he duly completed a treble for Mullins.
Ridden by his son, Patrick, the winner cantered into the lead early in the straight to beat Spa Hill by seven lengths.
Said Patrick, recently back from a four week holiday in Australia: “This is a different horse on the track, he wouldn’t light any fires at home.”
Ian McCarthy swept the Raymond Hurley-trained John The Soldier ahead before the last to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
The eight-year-old is owned by John D O’Donohue, who twice saw Preists Leap carry his colours to victory in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.
“I’m very happy with him and, if coming out of this okay, we will have a look at Galway”, reported Hurley of John The Soldier.
Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Symphony, returning from a break of 597 days, justified favouritism in the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Beginners Chase.
He was nursed around in superb fashion by Andrew Lynch and jumped quite beautifully.
Shake The Bucket appeared to be going marginally better than the winner in the straight, but Sizing Symphony found plenty on the run in and was a cosy half a length to the good at the line.
“We weren’t sure how fit he was, after such a long absence, he should improve a lot for the run”, said Lynch.
Slieveardagh got the full Barry Geraghty treatment to land the Bet Online At TheTote.com Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase.
He drove Edward O’Grady’s charge ahead going to the final fence and then kept him going to hold Ballyfinboy by a short head. I think we can be reasonably certain this will have no bearing whatsoever on the actual Galway Plate.
