Cooper back among the winners
The seven-year-old boasted rock-solid handicap form going into the two-and-a-half mile event and, sent off 13/8 favourite in the absence of Hidden Cyclone (a late withdrawal due to unsuitably fast ground), he came from off the pace to lead between the last two flights before stretching clear and, despite idling, beating market rival Now This Is It by over three lengths.
The victory of Captain Arceus will hopefully prove a tonic for his trainer, recuperating in hospital following surgery last Wednesday. It provided a timely boost for Cooper ahead of the seven-day Listowel Festival which starts on Sunday.
Cooper commented: “It’s great to get that out of the way. I can relax now and enjoy things. He was on and off the bridle early and I didn’t want to force things . So I let him do it in his own time. He fairly took off coming down the hill and I was in front too soon. But, in fairness, he galloped to the line. He’s going chasing and should make a smashing novice.”
Muzak, owned and trained locally by John Monroe, received a tremendous reception after his gutsy win under Robbie Dunne in the featured Guinness Handicap Chase.
Having tracked front-running Fosters Cross, the ten-year-old grey edged ahead at the second last and, clear early on the run-in. stayed on dourly to beat Boxer Beat by almost two lengths, with favourite Cause Of Causes staying on late after some sketchy jumping to fill third spot.
“He’s a little devil,” declared a jubilant Monroe, after greeting dozens of friends and supporters around the winner’s enclosure. “He’s getting more relaxed and enjoying himself a lot more.. He’s entered for Listowel, but this will probably rule him out of it. And, anyway, he’s not fond of going left-handed.”
Your Busy, in the colours of his trainer James Nash, disputed the lead with ultimately disappointing favourite Sin Palo throughout the Ryans Cleaners Chase before responding to David Casey’s urgings in a titanic duel with Schelm to triumph by three-quarters of a length.
“He has a bit of a nick, which isn’t ideal,” commented Nash. “He needed to go up seven or eight pounds to get into the Kerry National next week. He was doing everything a bit to the left out there. I was really looking forward to going to Listowel with him. It’s great to win a fabulous pot like this with a horse like him and, as long as he’s okay and gets in, he’ll run on Wednesday.”
The aptly-named Time For A Pint, trained by Gordon Elliott for Pat Beirne, bolted-up in the final event of the three-day meeting, the www.galwayraces.com Flat Race.
Confidently handled by Nina Carberry, the 9/10 favourite eased past You Can’t Catch Me approaching the straight before drawing clear to triumph impressively by ten lengths.
Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse, a real three-mile chaser. That was a decent performance under a penalty. He’ll go on any ground and he’s for sale. But, if he’s not sold, he’ll probably go for another bumper at the October meeting in Cheltenham.”
John Kiely, who has a fine strike-rate at Ballybrit, including this year’s Galway Plate triumph with Carlingford Lough, saddled Bridgequarter Girl to win the Galway City Vintners Handicap Hurdle at the expense of brave front-runner The Black Russian (having his second run in twenty-four hours).
Kiely said of Paul Townend’s mount: “I was a bit disappointed with her in Mallow the last day after her win in Tramore, a track that didn’t suit her. She’s a galloper and Paul gave her a lovely ride — he kept her out of trouble. She’s owned by her breeder Kevin Neville, a Galway man, who is now a neighbour of mine. She’s a Presenting and loves that summer ground. Maybe we’ll be back for something better with her next year.”
Unlucky on Killcara Boy here on Tuesday, Moira McElligott gained ample compensation when partnering Rockshandy (14/1) to an all-the-way win over favourite Minella For Value in the Eventus Beginners Chase, her third racecourse success.
The winner is trained for the Blue Diamond Syndicate (headed by the winning rider’s parents) by Paddy Neville, who commented: “That was badly needed. He showed a lot of ability as a young horse but lost his way a bit. We’ve done a lot of work with him, a lot of it on Beale beach. It’s great for Moira — she was unlucky last night — and he might run again in Listowel on Sunday, if he gets in.”
The Pat Martin-trained favourite Donatis Comet flattered to deceive in the opening Mervue Maiden Hurdle, failing to get to grips with the Brian O’Connell-ridden Run For Firth, which made virtually all to triumph for trainer Kieran Purcell, who stated: “I though the track would suit him. He might lack a bit of toe, but he won three point-to-pints and has plenty of stamina. He’ll stay over hurdles for the moment and will go chasing next season.”
