Stout-staying Don Poli lands red-hot Topaz
This was almost certainly the best contest of its type run so far this season, in Britain or Ireland, and the imposing five-year-old came through the stiff test with reputation greatly enhanced.
He travelled and jumped beautifully through the race for a clearly ultra confident Cooper and found buckets for pressure when the need was greatest. Cooper pushed him into the lead on the approach to the final fence, but then they were marginally headed after the obstacle by Apache Stronghold.
But Don Poli is a far stouter stayer and this rapidly improving sort rallied back to be well on top at the line.
Said Mullins: “He was idling all of the time, his two ears were pricked and was interested in everything going on around him.
“But the penny is dropping. I had nominated the four-mile chase (Cheltenham), but maybe he’s an RSA horse. He could be anything that fellow.
“That was a very good race, probably the best Topaz ever run. He will get an entry in the Moriarty (Leopardstown)’’
Robert Tyner’s progressive Carrigmoorna Rock, successful at Newbury previously, ran away with the Grade 3 IFG/Willis EBF Mares’ Hurdle.
She looked to be tapped for toe, at least momentarily, early in the straight, but quickened in style to lead before the final flight to win in a canter.
Said Tyner: “She was very impressive, we were looking forward to stepping her up to two and a half miles.
“The trip (two miles) was the one thing I was a small bit worried about going to Newbury.
“There’s a chance she could go back to England and might have one more run before Cheltenham.’’
Davy Russell gave Windsor Park a seriously confident ride to take the Copper Face Jacks Maiden Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh cruised to the front early in the straight aboard Royal Caviar, but Russell was unperturbed and sat and then sat some more.
Royal Caviar was quicker over the final flight, but Russell knew exactly what was under the bonnet and Dermot Weld’s classy recruit to jumping eased past half way up the run in to score with plenty in hand.
Said Russell: “He’s good, stays well, he did everything well. I had plenty of horse and you can take the liberty of waiting then.
“He has plenty of bridges to cross before talking about Cheltenham. But, if he passes all the tests, I’d imagine Dr Lambe (owner) and Mr Weld would like to have a horse good enough to go to Cheltenham.’’
Commented Weld: “He did what you would expect, although I was concerned it was a little soon.
“He had a little hold-up and didn’t school as well I would like. He’s very talented, it is onwards and upwards and we will now find a nice winners’ of one.’’
Weld completed a double when Vigil, splendidly handled by Finny Maguire, proved too good for Willie Mullins’ Bellshill in the Bumper.
Patrick Mullins tried to make all on Bellshill, but Vigil gradually wore him down in the straight and was in control in the last hundred yards.
Said Weld: “He’s (Maguire) had three rides for me, two winners and a second. He rides with a lot of confidence, listens to what you tell him and delivers.’’
Bentelimar, formerly trained by Philip Fenton, and now with Shay Barry, landed the Ryanair EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle, despite stumbling approaching the home turn.
Partnered by the highly promising Luke Dempsey, the top weight got the best of a desperate tussle on the run in with Sir Abbot and Tony McCoy.
Bentelimar did edge in towards the second from about 50 metres out and a stewards’ inquiry was inevitable.
The best horse on the day won, however, and it was no surprise that the result was allowed to stand.
Dempsey, though, had his whip in his right hand, the wrong hand as it turned out, and was found guilty of careless riding and suspended for two days. He got a further day for using his whip incorrectly.
“He’s tough and stays well’’, reported Barry. “It was a great ride by Luke, who didn’t panic (after the stumble).’’
The front-running Jimmy Two times was a very unlucky loser. He constantly jumped away to his right, but still headed for the last with a healthy advantage.
But he ran down the hurdle, again away to his right, and this time paid the penalty, crashing to the turf.
The Martintown Opportunity Chase should have been the first race run, but was postponed to last, due to the frost.
It went to the Jonathan Burke partnered Down Under, who came from the clouds to complete a terrific Christmas for owner, J P McManus.
* The attendance was 10,265, as against 10,692 last year. The overall attendance for the four days was 58,485.
