Shanahan’s Turn makes impressive chasing debut

Shanahan’s Turn made an impressive chasing debut when landing the Ballymore Christmas Fair Beginners Chase at the expense of Wounded Warrior in Punchestown yesterday.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old, in the colours of Alan and Ann Potts, made most of the running, produced a flawless display of jumping and stayed on powerfully to triumph by three and three-quarter lengths, providing Jonathan burke with his first win as a 3lb. claimer.

“He had a nice season hurdling, but always looked likely to be a chaser,” said de Bromhead.

“He jumped great and did it nicely. He’ll handle most types of ground, but I’d plan to run him up to Christmas and give him a break before preparing him for the Festivals in the spring.”

A return to Punchestown for the Grade 2 Florida Pearl on November 16 or a step into Grade 1 company in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on November 30 are possible options for the Indian Danehill gelding.

The earlier two mile beginners chase went to the Paul Carberry-ridden Chancol, trained for J P McManus by Noel Meade, which made virtually all the running, despite hanging left at times, for an emphatic win.

“I don’t know why he hung – he doesn’t do it at home,” commented Meade. “He was a very sick horse last season but he jumped around clean and well, although he was a bit fresh, and we’ll see where he fits in.”

Barry Geraghty continued his rich vein of form (he’s won on his last five rides) when giving the Michael Hourigan-trained 11/10 favourite Drumacoo a patient ride to land the Go Racing In Kildare 2015 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of front-runner Roi Des Francs.

“He’s just a nice horse and a chaser is what he’ll be,” stated Hourigan. “He needs to develop physically and is a horse to look forward to. We’ll go the easy route with him over hurdles – he might go to Limerick now – he won’t go the hard route until he goes chasing.”

Jessica Harrington introduced an interesting mare — Rock On The Moor — to make all under her daughter Kate in the bumper, the six-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth sprinting away in the straight to triumph by nine lengths.

“I’m thrilled with her,” said the winning trainer. “We’ll try to win a listed mares bumper with her, perhaps in Navan or Huntingdon, before she goes hurdling – and she jumps like a cat.”

Trainer Philip Dempsey admitted: “He’s far from straight-forward and has a bit of a kink, but that’s him,” after Mr. Diablo, ridden by the trainer’s son Luke, turned over 8/13 favourite Wrath Of Titans in the opening maiden hurdle. “He had a good look at the last, but picked up well,” added Dempsey, who intends giving the Presenting gelding an entry in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in Fairyhouse (November 30).

The consistent Stop Road Lad opened his account, at the twenty-first attempt, when capturing the Panoramic Restaurant Package Handicap Hurdle under Martin Burke, prompting his trainer Tim Doyle to explain: “He’s an eight-year-old, but he was weak and it’s only now he’s getting his act together. He doesn’t want soft ground and will make a grand chaser next summer.”