Simple for Sceaux
Owned by Eddie O’Connell from Glanmire, Co Cork, the talented five-year-old was maintaining his unbeaten record, which now stands at five from five.
Allowed to bowl along from the start by Ruby Walsh, his jumping was quick and accurate and the only minor moment of concern was when he got in a little tight to the last.
At that stage the contest had long been put to bed and Un De Sceaux crossed the line an unflattering 29 lengths clear of Rory O’Moore.
“He didn’t show anything that we didn’t already know”, commented trainer, Willie Mullins. That was certainly true, but it was a most encouraging start to the campaign on the part of the winner nonetheless.
Continuing Mullins said: “He will have to go up in grade now, for whatever we can find.
“He will go anywhere, including England, for a race that is suitable and where he won’t have to take on Grade 1 horses. He will be entered for the Champion Hurdle.”
Robert Tyner’s Sterling Stuff, well supported in the market, ran away with the Molony Cup Handicap Chase in the hands of Philip Enright.
Sterling Stuff had the look of a winner a fair way from home and this was essentially over, once Enright asked him to lead three out.
“He did it well, I’m delighted with the way he jumped and travelled”, reported Tyner, who indicated would now like to run the horse at Limerick, but bemoaned the fact there is no suitable race there for him over the four days.
Certainly, such was the ease of this success, that it would make sense to run him back quickly, under a mandatory penalty.
Instead, Sterling Stuff will reappear after he has been re-assessed by the handicapper and that is unlikely to make pleasant reading.
The Colm Murphy-trained The Cookie Jar reaped the reward of consistency with a game effort to land the Gift Horse Gallery Horse And Jockey Hotel Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
She kept finding for Jody McGarvey, challenged at the last and was soon in front to beat Dantes Firth and justify 9-4 favouritism, from 3-1.
“She got black type in the north the last day and we will now see what Noel O’Brien (handicapper) does, but won’t be aiming too high”, said Murphy.
Jim Dreaper’s Los Amigos, better known as a chaser, won his first race over flights when taking the Exit 6 To The Horse And Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle.
Giving a powerful drive by Keith Donoghue, he found plenty for pressure in the straight to hold Leavethelighton by three parts of a length.
“He’s fine, is a nice horse and seems to stay well, so we will now step him up to three miles”, remarked Dreaper.
Dessie Hughes’ Thunder And Roses, who was becoming costly to follow, found his level when taking the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle.
He got the full Davy Russell treatment, buckling down well for strong driving to outstay the heavily backed Oscar Fiain from the back of the final flight and score by a length.
Commented Hughes: “He was overdue a win. A three mile novice hurdle will be next, he’s really a chaser.”
Referring to stable star Our Conor, who is set to cross swords with Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown next Sunday, Hughes said he was “flying.”
Unlucky horse of the contest was market leader, Urano, who was holding every chance when appearing to stumble, or to clip heels, and unseating Ruby Walsh a few strides before the last. Walsh took a heavy fall, but was relatively unscathed.
The layers got a welcome result in the Bumper when Chapel Garden, a 14-1 shot, got the better of the flattering Fearahcain through the last furlong. It was a first winner for 21-year-old rider, J J Slevin.
Uneasy favourite, Tile Lady, broke a leg with a circuit to travel and had to be destroyed.
Racing opened with a comfortable success for the Gordon Doyle-trained Foritsa in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Capably handled by Adam O’Neill, Foritsa jumped to the front over the second last to easily beat Moiqen.
