Shanpallas well bought for McManus
The six-year-old was having his first run in the green and gold silks but remained in training with Charles Brynes.
As it turned out, he had most to fear from another McManus runner, Noel Meade’s Tom Horn, but the 7-1 chance prevailed by three-quarters of a length under Davy Russell.
Byrnes said “He was a bit inexperienced at Listowel (third in Kerry National), he jumped safe and it cost him. He was at the right side of handicap at Listowel so I was worried with his weight today that it was a bit ask but he jumped much better.
“He’s actually more of a two-and-a half-miler than a three-miler.
“It’s my first winner for JP, he only bought the horse two and a half weeks ago and his previous owners are all here, they are delighted.
“He needs good ground so his options are limited, but it’s job done today.”
Ruby Walsh was back in third on Meade’s Bose Ikard but had earlier stretched his winning run to four since returning from injury last week when scoring on Eric McNamara’s Sir Harry Cash (8-1) in the Anglo Printers Handicap Hurdle.
There was no fairytale comeback for Bryan Cooper, though, as he could only finish third on Guitar Pete in the Dunraven Arms Hotel Hurdle.
The race was won by Clarcam, the horse on which Cooper suffered a broken leg when falling in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.
Gordon Elliott’s Clarcam is owned by Cooper’s boss, Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, but he was allowed off Clarcam to ride Dessie Hughes’ Guitar Pete, on whom he had won a Grade One at Aintree.
Approaching the second-last all four runners were in a line before The Plan Man faded, followed by Guitar Pete.
Aidan O’Brien’s Plinth held a definite advantage at the last but he met it wrong, allowing Carcam and Kevin Sexton the chance to challenge again and the 3-1 chance prevailed in a photo-finish.
Elliott said: “Bryan came up the other morning and we thought he’d need the run and Gigginstown were good enough to let him off, but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for him.
“It wasn’t expected, but it was nice. He’ll more than likely go chasing now, touch wood the way he jumps he should have no problems over fences.”
The irony of the result was not lost on Cooper, who said: “He’ll improve for that, I left him alone once he was beaten after the second-last.
“It was a bit like Murphy’s Law, but it’s great for the boss to win. I’m feeling good, plenty fit enough.”
Hash Brown looks a nice prospect for Michael Hourigan and continued his progression with an easy victory in the O’Brien’s Wines Novice Hurdle.
Sent off the 1-2 favourite in an uncompetitive Grade Three, Hash Brown briefly looked in a spot of bother turning into the straight as Barry Geraghty was locked in on the fence with nowhere to go in a four-runner race.
As soon as a gap appeared, however, Hash Brown shot through it and was immediately back on the bridle, with Geraghty sitting motionless on crossing the line, just two lengths clear of Sang Tiger but value for much more.
Snapped up by McManus after winning at Listowel last month, the son of Vinnie Roe looks to have a bright future.
“It was a poor race, I suppose – passing the stands with a circuit to go I thought he was in trouble as he was niggling a bit,” said Hourigan.
“I think he’s a fair horse, but I thought he’d be better today. He’s a horse that doesn’t like to be in front too soon.
“Ground doesn’t seem to bother him and he’ll have plenty of options.”
Geraghty added: “He’s a lovely horse and will make a smashing chaser. I was always happy enough and when I got out it was over in two strides.”
Burn And Turn, runner up in the Galway Plate, picked up a nice prize for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power in the Pricewaterhousecoopers Rated Chase.
The eight-year-old mare only ran last weekend, when third to Sizing Europe, but she was obviously not feeling the effects of those exertions.
Pass The Hat fell down the back straight and shortly after Sizing Italy made a mistake and was quickly pulled up.
That left Burn And Turn with just Seefood to beat and Harrington’s mare stamped her authority on the contest in the straight.
Power said: “She deserved that, she ran a cracker in the Galway Plate, it didn’t go right in Listowel (Kerry National) but she ran well the last day.
“I avoided the trouble, but got there sooner than I liked. She travelled and jumped so well.
“She’s tough and tries hard and I imagine that could be her last run of the year.
“There’s a possibility she could go for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.”
