Taglietelle stays on strongly to land spoils
“He looked beaten from the fourth last today, but kept going,” said winning trainer Gordon Elliott. “I wanted to go to Cheltenham with him at the weekend, but his owner wanted to come here, so he was right again. He could be a horse for the Greatwood (in Cheltenham), with a pair of blinkers — they’d help him travel and a strongly-run race would help him.”
Un Beau Matin, ridden by Kevin Sexton, completed Elliott’s treble in the Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase (Lord Scoundrel, who gave Bryan Cooper his first winner since his comeback, was the other) overcoming a couple of mistakes before wearing down front-running Sizing Solution on the run-in.
The trainer commented: “I suppose it’s the start of the season proper and the horses are in great order. Kevin gave him a good ride. He says he was flat out all the way and that he needs further.”
Hurdling debutant Dai Bando, trained locally by Ross O’Sullivan and ridden by Andrew McNamara, landed the Go Racing In Kildare 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of favourite Batchelors Walk before surviving a Stewards Enquiry.
“The lads in Patrick Prendergast’s always thought a lot of him,” explained O’Sullivan. “But he’s a stronger horse this year, ran well in Roscommon and, from the first day Andy schooled him, he’s taken to hurdles very well.
“We’ll stay hurdling for now and might go for a winners’ race in Down Royal next. But he still has a reasonable mark on the flat and we might try to exploit that in the New Year.”
Mark Walsh produced Elegant Statesman, trained for J P McManus by Henry de Bromhead, with a well-timed late challenge, under hands and heels, to foil gallant front-runner Old Supporter in the Festival Earlybird Deals Handicap Chase, prompting the winning trainer to comment: “He’s been a bit disappointing and it’s great to have him back. He jumped great and Mark gave him a super ride.”
Old Supporter’s rider Brian Hayes had enjoyed better luck when It’s All An Act, trained by Shark Hanlon followed-up Saturday’s win in Fairyhouse by landing the Join The Punchestown Newsletter Handicap Hurdle. Hanlon said: “If the ground stays right, he’ll go to Galway in ten days time. If not, he’ll go straight to the Sales.”
Sales-bound Bon Chic, trained by Jimmy Barcoe and an eleventh career winner for David Mullins, made all to record an emphatic three lengths win in the mares bumper.
