Road to Riches back in style at Clonmel Oil Chase
Bryan Cooper gave the Noel Meade-trained gelding a positive ride and the eight-year-old responded with a bold display of jumping as he made every yard of the running.
The field tightened up behind the leader in the home straight on the first circuit and again as they came down the hill for the final time.
Bright New Dawn was the only rival to ever present a challenge, but the Road To Riches just had to be kept up to his work to hold him at bay.
The well-backed 8-13 favourite pulled clear down to the last, where a prodigious leap sealed victory.
Meade and owners Gigginstown will now plan a route which, all going well, will lead back to Cheltenham in March.
“I’m thrilled with that. I don’t usually sweat about runners, but I didn’t sleep last night because I didn’t really fancy the ground or the track for him,” said a relieved Meade. “But I’d have to be happy with it, he jumped great.
“Ger (Fox) rides him at home now, and thinks he’s stronger and more mature than he was last year.
“Bryan said he was only lobbing along in front, not doing a stroke, but when he gave him a squeeze coming down the hill, he lit up on him and went away. Coming down to the last he was full of running.
“I don’t know where we’re going next. I know Michael (O’Leary) has mentioned the John Durkan Memorial, but I think three miles would be better. Everything is done on a discussion basis, but I’d have a preference for the Lexus Chase or the King George.”
Ruby Walsh starred on the undercard, recording a treble, which began with Jetstream Jack’s smooth success in the opening INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Deputising for Davy Russell, whose return from injury was delayed by “paperwork” issues, Walsh was happy to sit just behind pacesetters Sizing Alberta and Arkwrisht for much of the race, and sent the 9-10 favourite to the front racing to the second-last.
Despite conceding 8lbs and upwards to his rivals, the imposing five-year-old stretched clear to beat the promising Sizing Alberta by four lengths, the two a long way clear.
“He’s a big, galloping horse, and loves that ground,” said winning trainer Gordon Elliott. “He’ll jump a fence, too, but will go for a novice hurdle over three miles next.”
Walsh’s second winner came courtesy of a comfortable success for long odds-on favourite Vroum Vroum Mag in the Grade 3 EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Mares’ Chase.
From a long way out, only the 1-4 favourite and Miss Dinamic counted but Ruby Walsh looked confident he had the measure of that rival. Sent to the front at the second-last, she eased clear and, in victory, extended her unbeaten record over fences to six.
“She did what she had to do,” said Walsh. “She pinged the last, but was idle in front. I’d imagine she’ll improve a lot for the run. She’s so laid-back, so placid, she’d never really catch your eye on the gallops. She keeps it for the track, which is no bad thing.”
Winning trainer Willie Mullins added: “We entered her in the Hennessy, but that wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d prefer to take it slowly with her, sticking to mares’ races if possible.”
Walsh completed a treble and Mullins a double when Noble Inn scooted home in the closing Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile Hurdle. An improved sort on the Flat recently, the five-year-old travelled strongly, jumped fluently, and pulled clear to beat the well-backed Hostile Fire.
Mullins said: “My worry was whether or not he would handle the ground but I thought coming off his Flat preparation he might be a pound or two ahead of the jumps handicapper. And he was.
“He was entitled to beat everything he beat today and, on this evidence, should get further.”
A tidy gamble was landed when Oscar Sam made a successful debut for Jessica Harrington in the Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile Hurdle. Never far off the pace, Robbie Power produced him to lead after jumping the third-last, and he stayed on well to beat the game Macs Legend.
“I only got back from holidays yesterday, so I’m not sure how much I had to do with it,” said Harrington. “I got him after the summer break, and am glad to get off to a winning start. He’s in again at the weekend and also Fairyhouse next week, but we’ll see how he comes out of this first.”
In the following race, Prince Of Scars also made a winning start for a new stable, running on well to complete a double for Gordon Elliott and jockey Bryan Cooper in the three-mile Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle.
“It’s the best moment of my season so far,” joked Elliott, referring to the fact the win put him ahead of Willie Mullins in the trainers’ table.
“He’s a big, honest, galloping horse, but still a big baby. He handles that ground very well.”
Jockey Donagh Meyler added to his tally when the Eoin Doyle-trained Indian Fairy secured a second success at this track in the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase.
