Walsh gets Busy to land National
This was an extraordinary display from the saddle, considering that Your Busy almost fell at the first fence when blazing along.
But, undaunted, Ms Walsh soon put everything back together again and had Your Busy in the lead with two circuits to cover. He is owned and trained just off the Curragh by Jim Nash, enjoying his biggest success.
Said Katie: “I thought it was all over at the first, he was very lucky to stand up. The key was getting him back in front.”
Your Busy did get in tight to a fence or two after that, but essentially his technique was quick and accurate.
When Pass The Hat (David Casey) challenged turning in, the winner had his opportunity to decide that enough was enough.
But Walsh was in no mood to allow him go down that road and the 29 year-old literally went for broke crossing the last two fences.
Said Katie: “He was brilliant when I really wanted him. I thought turning for home that David had me, but he winged the second last and the last. This is right up there with my best days.”
Your Busy, of course, only got into the race as first reserve, after Golden Wonder failed to meet the engagement.
Nash said: “Katie rode him in the Kim Muir (Cheltenham) and in a Paddy Power Chase (Leopardstown) and it is great she rode him today. That was a fabulous ride, she got a great tune out of him.
“I thought he had it terribly easy in front and was always in his comfort zone.
“He’s an 11-year-old, but wasn’t broken until October as a five-year-old and doesn’t have as much mileage on the clock as some horses.
“Thank God he got into the race, as he was flying at home. He’s now won a Killarney National and a Kerry National, so we will have to try and win the Munster National.”
The gamble of the race was Charles Byrnes’ Shanpallas, available as high as 14-1 on the eve of the contest.
On track, Shanpallas was backed from 6-1 to 7-2 favourite and, though obviously he didn’t win, ran perfectly respectably.
He travelled really well, but an error six out was no help. In the closing stages, the six-year-old was always destined for minor honours, finishing third.
And one has to spare a thought for David Casey. He had ridden Your Busy in eight out of nine of his previous races and no less than 17 times in all.
The brilliant Pat Smullen gave Vintage Nouveau a terrific drive to win the Listed Edmund And Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.
Smullen was, typically, always in the right place. He had the winner tracking the pace throughout, before powering ahead over a furlong down.
Favourite, Tarana, was soon giving chase, but Smullen had got first run and Vintage Nouveau was half a length to the good at the line.
For Smullen it was a 97th success of the season, his best ever. He rode 96 the last occasion he was champion jockey in 2010.
Said Smullen: “She’s an improving filly and this was the ideal race for her, getting the allowances.
“She showed her inexperience (inside the furlong pole), laying up on the fence on me. I hope they keep her in training next season, there should be a nice bit of improvement to come.”
At breakfast time yesterday morning, J P McManus bought the Michael Hourigan-trained Hash Brown and only had to wait a few hours for a return on his investment.
The progressive five-year-old coasted to victory in the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle, in the hands of Barry Geraghty.
Truth to tell, the winner was always tanking, perhaps even doing a bit too much. But he still found plenty and shot way from the last to easily beat Well Tuned.
Said Hourigan: “He is not an easy horse to ride, he tends to take a good hold and will be better in a better race. Barry is crying out for him to go over fences, but it won’t be for a while.”
McManus was back in the winner’s enclosure after the Aidan O’Brien-trained Egyptian Warrior, ridden by Tony McCoy, came between horses to lead before the final flight and land the MSD Animal Health Maiden Hurdle.
“He had a nice run at Navan and it was good to see his jumping improving,” said O’Brien. “I was delighted to have Anthony aboard, he is a great man.”
Charles Byrnes’ great old veteran, the 11-year-old Mahrajaan, followed up his recent success at Down Royal by winning the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap in the hands of Tom Madden.
Shadagann made a brave attempt from the front, as Madden kidded and cajoled his partner into contention entering the final half-mile.
Mahrajaan still had a few lengths to make up with a furlong to run, but Madden was getting a real response from him now and they got there in time to win by a neck.
Byrnes was loud in his praise of the youngster. “That was a fabulous ride, he is an up-and-coming jockey,” said Byrnes.
“He (Madden) was good at Down Royal, but was even better today. Mahrajaan is going to be retired now, he suffers with his joints and it is the right thing to do.”
Shane Foley, who rode Shadagann, was found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and suspended for one day.
David Wachman’s Nasution, who caught the eye on his debut at the Curragh, despite only finishing ninth, was all the rage for the Listowel Arms Median Auction Maiden, eventually going off favourite.
He landed the touch, but those who plunged were surely decidedly uncomfortable for most of the seven furlongs.
Wayne Lordan was rowing away a fair way out, but had a willing ally and Nasution forged ahead inside the furlong pole to win comfortably in the end.
Said Wachman: “He’s very raw, still a slow learner, but should improve again. Wayne was good on him.”
The always-prominent Abushamah, running for the first time since being gelded, benefited from a powerful Chris Hayes drive to take the Exchange Inn Ballybunion And Kevin Broderick’s Bar Listowel Handicap.
Hayes kicked the son of Nayef clear early in the straight and Abushamah held on close home, as the fast finishing Helen’s Armada got to within half a length.
Given what had gone before it was almost appropriate the day ended with another lady rider, Kate Harrington, doing the business in the Bumper.
She guided 40-1 shot Sandymount Duke, trained by her mother, Jessica, to victory over market leader, Deputy’s Pass, who just could not close down the winner in the straight.
* The attendance was 27,005, up from 26,447 last year.
