Cross again defies the years
The twelve-year-old, successful at Galway last time, was meeting odds-on favourite Special Tiara 16lb. ‘wrong’ on handicap ratings, but got the measure of his front-running rival at the second last fence before asserting and beating the favourite’s novice stable-companion Enjoy Responsibly by two and a half lengths, with Special Tiara eight and a half lengths adrift following a last fence mistake.
Winning trainer Tom Mullins was not present, but Russell acknowledged: “Credit must go to Tom. He’s always been a good horse and was good again today, for his age. The leader jumped a bit left early on and my fellow followed him. Other than that, he was spot-on and won well.”
John Oxx enjoyed mixed luck on a rare visit to the County Mayo track, saddling Marakoush to justify odds-on favouritism in the opening Ballinrobe Ireland’s Lake District Maiden before Newton’s Night, the 5/4 favourite, filled third spot, beaten only a length, behind Eric The Grey in the David Heneghan Memorial Rated Race.
Marakoush, officially rated 88, had plenty in hand — on paper — for the opener and won accordingly, making most of the running and stretching clear before the straight to win impressively under Declan McDonogh.
Oxx commented: “He ran well early in the season, but needed a bit of time and has improved well over the summer. He handled the track well and will go for a handicap now. He’s a big, scopey horse, a half-brother to Mourad, Mourilyan and Mourayan and, in the future, should make a nice hurdler for somebody.”
No joy for Oxx and McDonogh with Newton’s Night in the rated race as the 5/4 favourite finished a close third to Charlie Swan’s Eric The Grey, dashingly ridden by Billy Lee.
Swan declared: “Billy was very good on him — he got the best run and the splits came for him. It’s definitely a case of big thanks to the jockey.
“He has won over a mile and quarter and we might step him up in trip, which will give us a few more options.”
Arthur Moore faces a dilemma with Back Off Mate following his gutsy win under a determined David Casey in the Corrib Oil Handicap Chase but admitted: “It’s a lovely position to be in — he’s so versatile that I don’t know where to go — hurdles, fences or flat.”
Back Off Mate, successful on the flat at Sligo last time, came from off the pace to get the better of Baily Dusk by a half-length with longtime leader Hellofado a close third. Moore added: “I’m sure there’s something for him in Listowel and he could run in the Amateur Derby at the Curragh — he was second in it last year.”
