More of the same from Chaparral
The seven-year-old came from behind to score on the flat on Thursday night and, essentially, it was a case of more of the same on this occasion.
“I nearly had three or four hearts attacks through the race”, quipped Flynn, who watched the contest, as usual, in the press room.
Here For The Craic held the call running to the final flight, but was very untidy at the obstacle and that allowed Ryan Treacy to grab the initiative and drive Prince Chaparral past to score by a neck. “I think he will make a real nice chaser”, concluded a clearly relieved Flynn.
The featured Richard Power Private Clients’ Betting Handicap Hurdle was won in the proverbial canter by Eoin Doyle’s King High, who also saddled the second, Days Ahead.
King High had run here on Saturday, third of four to Lord Ben, causing Doyle to quip: “He obviously needed the run yesterday!”
Kevin Sexton set the winner alight three out and King High swept away to win by seven and a half lengths.
Continuing Doyle said: “He’s always had ability and the drying ground was a big help.”
Punters made the ideal start when Bridgequarter Girl, trained by John Kiely, justified favouritism in the Family Fun Day At Tramore Races Maiden Hurdle. Patiently handled by Paul Townend, she arrived to lead coming away from two out to beat the front-running Empresario by two and a half lengths.
Said Kiely: “She was due, has been consistent and was unlucky at Killarney. She will probably now go for a winners’ of one.”
The layers got a decent result when the Thomas Cummins-trained Fairy Court cropped up at 16-1 in the Graun Hill Suite Perfect For Parties Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Mikey O’Connnor, Fairy Court did extremely well to score, because he stumbled badly at the back of the second last flight.
O’Connor, however, picked him up in a flash and Fairy Court galloped on powerfully to beat the market leader, Romeo Is Bleeding.
“This is the unluckiest horse in training, but if I can keep him right, he’ll win a lot more”, exclaimed Cummins.
The lads on the boxes were purring again after the Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase, victory going to the James Nash-trained 20-1 shot, Rayhani, carrying the colours of his father, Francis.
Claragh Native looked sure to score when grabbing what appeared to be a decisive advantage before two out, but David Casey timed it to perfection and Rayhani eased past on the run in.
Reported Casey: “They went fast, James said to drop in, hunt around and see what happened. It worked out great.”
If the outcome of those races favoured the bookmakers, then the balance swung a little towards punters when the 5-1 favourite, Jack The Hat, took the Tramore Amusement Park And Leisure Centre Handicap Hurdle.
Trained on the Curragh by Noel Lawlor and third at Wexford previously, he came from off the pace for Jody McGarvey to cut down the flattering pair, Ennisnag and Chebona Bula.
Andrew Lynch emerged as the leading rider of the meeting and it wasn’t difficult to work out why, after he gave a fine display aboard Leblon for Henry de Bromhead in the Waterford And Tramore Mares’ Beginners Chase.
The winner and Little King Robin were locked in battle going to the last, but Lynch threw Leblon at the fence and that was the difference.
Said de Bromhead: “I’m delighted for the mare, she was tough and genuine.”
