Sweet-jumping Star set to be upped in class
Partnered by Andrew Leigh, he was always tracking the leaders, before being asked to lead over the fourth last.
His main market rival Clonbanan Lad, however, joined issue turning for home and the outcome was far from decided. Owega Star was back in front at the second last, though, and had this in safe keeping at the final fence, even if he did run down the obstacle somewhat.
Said Fahey: “He stays well and loves cut in the ground. A Grade 3 (Like A Butterfly Chase) at Tipperary will be next, he will have a break then and come back at Christmas. Hopefully, he will start to climb up the ladder.”
Andrew Lynch, hero of the Kerry National aboard White Star Line on Wednesday, landed another big prize when driving Rodger Sweeney’s Fiery Oscar to victory in the valuable Ladbrokes’ Handicap Hurdle.
Lynch delivered his challenge towards the outside in the straight to cut down Backlough, with Pires in third.
“He’s a two and a half miler, but the ground helped the others to come back to him”, said Sweeney.
The unlucky horse of the contest was Maxim Gorky, who was travelling well when blundering badly at the penultimate flight.
Jim Bolger’s Fulminata, successful in a maiden earlier in the week, became the first horse to win twice at the meeting when taking the Speedy’s Bar Moyvane And Ballylongford Handicap. Capably handled by Killian Hennessy, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was always travelling sweetly, led just inside the furlong pole and crossed the line a cosy length to the good over That’s Plenty.
Fulminata was running off a mark 9lbs lower than in the future, while Hennessy comes from Youghal, is 20 years-of age and this was his fourth winner.
The hitherto disappointing Late Rosebud won the Tote Jackpot Guarantee Median Auction Maiden by eight and a half lengths, but her rider, Pat Smullen, certainly wasn’t getting carried away.
She came there swinging in the straight, led over a furlong down and was soon clear. Said Smullen: “She liked the ground and the visor helped, but it was a very weak race.”
Truly Delightful, trained by Tom Cleary and a 12-1 shot, took the Greeenville Maiden in the hands of Fran Berry.
The winner and Muntasef had it between them virtually throughout, with Truly Delightful battling on strongly to prevail by a neck.
“I’m not totally surprised, I was glad to see the rain, she loves soft ground”, said Cleary.
Truly Delightful is part owned by Frank Berry’s brother, Paddy, and who is, obviously, an uncle of the winning rider.
The layers got a cracking result when 25-1 chance Sho Girl ran away with the Friends Of Tony Wright Memorial Handicap.
Enterprisingly handled by Declan McDonogh, the winner edged on three furlongs from home and never flinched in the closing stages to easily beat Caim Hill.
Trainer, Patrick Prendergast, said: “I’m very, very pleased with that, she won her maiden well, but was then disappointing.
“I decided to try her over a mile and six. I wasn’t sure whether she’d stay, but she relished the conditions.”
On Wednesday White Star Line won the Kerry National for Patsy Byrne and yesterday his brother, Johnny, saw his colours carried to victory by Blackwell Synergy in the Devon Inn hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Blackwell Synergey, trained by John Supple and ridden by Eddie O’Connell, had his task considerably eased when the closing Baresi crashed into the second last.
Said Supple: “He came back to me from Jonjo’s (O’Neill), I was glad to get him back. I thought he had a good chance, he was working well.”
Willie Mullins struck for the first time this week when Wicklow Brave got the best of a sprint finish, by a short head, with Yes Sir Brian in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Bumper.
“I was a bit worried about the ground, he will now go off jumping”, reported Mullins. Wicklow Brave is owned by Wicklow Bloodstock Limited, who’s Simenon is currently in quarantine in Newmarket, on his way to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
