No-hoper Jetson steals the show
At Punchestown yesterday he gave the so-called no-hoper, the 20-1 shot, Jetson the most magical of drives to beat the mighty Quevega in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes’ World Series Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ remarkable mare was seeking a tenth success in a row and to win this contest for a fifth time.
But it wasn’t to be after Russell grabbed the initiative a long way out and got first run on all of his rivals.
Said Harrington: “Davy was giving out that I never give him any rides. That was only the second time he has ridden for me and a first winner.”
Responded Russell: “The first ride I had for Jessica wasn’t great, but this has more than made up for it.”
The superb pilot may have lost a massive job with Gigginstown, but there is no doubt other doors have opened for him.
He is simply at the top of his game right now and you would have to conclude that sheer intelligence from the saddle landed this major prize.
Russell made his move at exactly the right time and he literally caught everything napping, as he scorched clear turning in.
Quevega looked a trifle flat footed approaching the home turn, but she flew up the straight.
The bird, however, had long flown and though Quevega made up a lot of late ground was still over a length down at the line.
“It’s absolutely fantastic, he loves the spring”, exclaimed a clearly surprised Harrington. “This is the only race in which he could run, he was top of every handicap.
“He went to Cheltenham and Aintree, for handicaps, but was still a fresh horse. I told Davy that he really had no chance, but stays well and to use him.”
Said Russell: “I was told he might go flat with six furlongs to go, but he didn’t. I filled him up after two out and then went away.
“It’s a surprise, but no surprise the way he went through the race. He travelled and jumped great.
“To be fair Paddy Kennedy (jockey) for the last two days has been telling me that Jetson was in the form of his life. He gave me plenty of confidence and Kate Harrington told me going out not to mind his price because he will run a blinder.”
An obviously disappointed Ruby Walsh said of Quevega: “She bunny-hopped the second last, he (Jetson) got six or seven lengths on me and I couldn’t get it back.”
Mullins, said: “I thought she didn’t get much luck in running and Davy rode a good race on the winner.
“I’ll speak to the owners, but I’d imagine that was her last race. She’s a special mare and it would be hard to repeat what she has done.” Later in the night, Mullins confirmed that Quevega would indeed be retired (see page 34).
On a day that proved excellent for the layers, they got a screamer in the other Grade I on the card, when the incredible Barry Geraghty drove 25-1 chance God’s Own to victory in the Ryanair Novice Chase.
He was one for the visitors, trained by Tom George, giving him a first win in Ireland and a fourth Grade 1.
This was simply vintage Geraghty, who sat off a very strong pace, before launching a ferocious challenge in the straight.
God’s Own got to the front just before the final fence and battled on like a lion to hold Moscow Mannon and Balder Succes.
Said George: “It has all come right today. This has always been a good horse, but was very hard to handle when he was younger.
“He will still be a novice (in Britain) next season and that is why we came here. We are lucky to have nice horses and are putting them in the right races. This fellow will stay further.”
Champagne Fever, heavily backed, blew out yet again and can no longer be trusted. He was very awkward over the third and essentially gave up when he should have been willing to get down and fight.
Tim Doyle’s Mallowney, a horse who has often looked like delivering more than he has, got it right for Russell in the Three.ie Handicap Chase.
Russell drove him into the lead coming away from the second last and Mallowney, to his credit, never flinched, powering away to beat Art Of Logistics by two and a half lengths.
Said Doyle: “He always travels well, but disappointed a few days in not finding off the bridle.
“He deserved that, he has been running well all season. He settled better today, the hood helped him. We will leave it at that now and dream over the summer.”
The favourite Ned Buntline arrived with every chance early in the straight, but, not for the first time, displayed little enthusiasm when the pressure was applied.
Russell then completed a treble with another fine drive aboard Dessie McDonogh’s Morga in the Drinkwater Construction And Orchid Transport Mares’ Novice Hurdle, again getting first run on the opposition, with Vicky de L’Oasis closing in all the way to the line.
Morga carried the colours of Jim Bolger’s wife, Jackie. Commented McDonogh: “Jim has been very good to me over the last eight or nine years. This is a very, very good filly, the best I have had in a long time.”
Geraghty, successful later on God’s Own, produced Macnicholson with an irresistible late burst to literally rob the Colm Murray Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Pivot Bridge was kicked into a clear lead coming away from two out, but it was a long way home and he began tire nearing the final flight.
Geraghty was now throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Macnicholson and had his reward nearing the post to score by half a length.
The five-year-old had been very frustrating, until landing his maiden at Kilbeggan recently, and this was a fair effort under a 6lbs penalty and off 11-11.
- The attendance was 16,158, almost the same as a year ago at 16,116.
