Tulsa Jack proves liking for thorough stamina test
The 5-1 favourite, twice a faller over fences earlier in the year, has since found his form in some style, winning twice and in the frame twice more in four outings.
Yesterday’s race represented a significant step up in trip, but the six-year-old improved for it, settling and jumping well from the outset.
Still full of running as his rivals toiled in the closing stages, he eased clear up the straight and maintained his fluency over his fences to beat Clarr Na Mionn by a wide margin, with game front-runner Kylecrue in third.
Winning rider Moore revealed: “We always knew he’d stay, but we thought the ground may have been an issue. I just wanted to keep him settled, and he jumped like a buck.
“He got a great leap at the last down the back. I didn’t want to upset him by taking a pull, so I let him go on up the straight. He was idling in front but won it well.”
The winner is owned by the Grand Alliance Syndicate, whose members include former Taoiseach Brian Cowan, Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett, and former TD G V Wright.
On the undercard, jockey Bryan Cooper continued his superb run of form by recording a treble, aboard Okotoks, Just Cause and Lord Scoundrel.
The market spoke in favour of Okotoks in the opening maiden hurdle, and the Tony Martin-trained five-year-old didn’t disappoint. Never far off the pace, he moved up to dispute the lead with Nine Stitches from four out, and asserted in the straight to beat that rival with something to spare.
Said Martin: “He was entitled to win this, he had a couple of good runs last year. The ground was a bit quick for him the last time out, at Navan, and, in hindsight, we shouldn’t have run him.
“His jumping was a bit sketchy. He has a good leap in him, but he’s still a bit novicey. We won’t make any big plans for him, but hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
The middle leg of Cooper’s treble came in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle as 10-1 chance Just Cause landed the spoils for trainer Mouse Morris and owners Gigginstown. Cooper delivered the well-built five-year-old to challenge between the third and second-last and, with good jumps at the last couple, saw off the challenge of Listen Here by three parts of a length.
Said Morris: “I was very happy with him, he jumped really well, and will go on any ground. He’s a next-year horse – he’s still a big baby.”
Cooper completed his treble with a smooth success aboard Lord Scoundrel in the Grade 3 Novice Chase. Trained by Gordon Elliott, he was prominent from the off, jumped to the front early, and saw off Rightdownthemiddle without having to be fully extended.
“He didn’t jump as well as he has done, but he was in front early and was probably a bit lazy,” said Cooper.
“I think he’ll be better going left-handed, but he has done it well, and fences have turned him inside-out.”
Moylisha Tim gave Enniscorthy trainer Richie Rath the biggest success of his career to date when winning the Grade 3 Novice Hurdle under JJ Slevin.
The 6-1 chance was ridden positively from the outset and found plenty to score at the expense of Ben Button.
Said Rath: “It was his first time over three miles and on soft ground, but we thought he’d handle it. JJ knows the horse very well, and gave him a great ride. He was to ride for Nigel Twiston Davies in England today, but chose this fellow.
“I’d say we’ll give the horse a break now. He’s brilliant over a fence, but he’s only five so we’ll keep him to hurdles for the moment.”
Perfect Woman set out to make all in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle, under Mark Walsh, and the in-form mare completed her hat-trick, following victories at Clonmel and Sligo.
“Mark said she was at her best today,” said winning trainer Michael Winters. “We ran her over hurdles because the track wasn’t as heavy as the chase track, and that helped. She’s in again at Thurles on Thursday, and may run her there.”
Odds-on backers went home happy after the Willie Mullins-trained Screaming Rose followed up her debut success with an impressive display to beat the smart Pride Of The Braid.
