Murtagh off the mark with Dalkova
Trusted went off at 8-11 and they were very tight odds for a contest of this nature. Dalkova was in front from the start, with Trusted arriving to challenge approaching the home turn.
Murtagh’s five-year-old, however, was in no mood to go down without a fight and kept pulling it out for Niall McCullagh.
Pat Smullen threw the kitchen sink at Trusted, but she was always being held and was half a length adrift at the line.
Said Murtagh: “She ran very well at Killarney and I’m delighted has won a Listed race.
“Training is hard work, the winners don’t come as often as they did when you’re a jockey. I really fancied her, she’s tough and genuine and I knew would keep going up the hill.”
Willie Mullins’ Alelchi Inois made it three from three over fences with a facile success in the Guinness Harp Novice Chase.
The winner and Starkie bowled along clear of the field for most of the trip, but it was a one horse race once Paul Townend asked Alelchi Inois to go about his business from the last fence, the verdict over eventual second, Howwoulduno, 13 lengths.
“He could be back here in twelve months time (for the Plate), although I don’t imagine he will have a good mark”, said Mullins.
“He looks a natural jumper and is very versatile, trip-wise. I’d have the Plate in mind, although I don’t envisage him as a handicapper!”
Michaael Halford and Shane Foley struck for the first time at the meeting when Hasanour took the Guinness Time Handicap.
Foley hasn’t been enjoying a great campaign, but was particularly forceful here in keeping his charge ahead of Sretaw to score by a head.
Commented Halford: “We were having a nightmare of a week up to this, for once it worked out.
“He’s a good horse, very straightforward. He kept going and Shane was anxious not to get passed!”
Philip Fenton’s Desertmore Stream didn’t look a winner for most of the two and a half miles of the Guinness Novice Hurdle, but ended up in front at the post.
His jumping left a bit to be desired and he had it all to do in fourth heading to the last. Icy Reply looked all over a winner jumping the flight, but when Aine O’Connor gave her partner a crack with her right hand the mare hung across the track and that was that.
Brian O’Connell seized the opportunity to drive Desertmore Stream to the front and the winner crossed the line a length and a quarter clear of Icy Reply.
Said Fenton: “For a horse who soldiered in point-to-points and is electric at home his jumping wasn’t great.
“I’m sure he will make a nice chaser and have more respect for fences. He is due a break, but will probably head to Killarney first.”
Denis Hogan’s Ridestan, who ran a cracker over hurdles earlier in the week, took buckets out of bookmakers’ satchels in the Guinness Surge Handicap.
Conor Hoban, who recommended to Hogan that he buy the horse at the sales, was in the plate.
Ridestan was taken from 9-4 to 7-4 favourite, made all and strode home nicely clear of Knight’s Parade. It was a third festival winner for Hogan.
Steve Mahon’s Aranhill Chief, successful over flights at Bellewstown previously, showed great courage to take the GuinnessPlus APP Beginners Chase.
Beautifully handled by Denis O’Regan, he made a lot of the running and found loads for pressure to withstand all-comers in the straight.
The seven-year-old is in again over fences tonight and Mahon will see how he is this morning before making a decision as to his participation.
Shark Hanlon’s Clondaw Farmer rounded of the day on the perfect note for many punters when justifying favouritism in the Bumper.
He got a magnificent drive from Patrick Mullins, battling on for powerful driving to beat Blueprint Bob by a short head. Mullins’ reward, a two-day suspension for using his whip with excessive force and frequency.
- The attendance was 34,007, up from 27,669 last year.
