Seabass turns back clock with easy success
Ridden prominently, the 12-year-old, who finished third behind Neptune Collonges in the 2012 Aintree Grand, travelled best all the way and didn’t have to be hard ridden to go clear in the closing stages.
An emotional winning trainer, Ted Walsh, said: “I wasn’t expecting that, but he was great, and I was delighted with him. He’s just a classy auld horse, and you can’t take that away from him.
“If he never again runs, I am delighted with him. He has been part of the household for a long time. John Thomas (McNamara) won a point to point on him as a four-year-old, so there’s a lot of history that goes with him.
“He ran no race at Punchestown last time. Ruby dropped him out because of the ground and it being his first run back, but he galloped away and Ruby said there was life in the old dog yet. He’s 140 rated over fences, so where would you go with him except over hurdles.
“I thought he might run well today, but was just hoping he’d show some spark, and we’d come away thinking there might be another day somewhere for him.
“He crawled up from 114 over fences to 154, won a Grade 2 at Naas, finished third in a Grand National, and won a Leopardstown Chase in a canter. He’s had more problems than 10 horses, and God only knows what he could have done if he had had a trouble-free run!”
Aunt Nora, a maiden hurdle winner in January, secured a first success over fences when taking the Molony Cup Handicap Chase for trainer Pat Fahy and jockey David Mullins. The 14-1 chance travelled nicely just behind the pace for much of the race, before moving up to challenge at the second-last. From there she moved clear in grand style to beat Coolnagorna Giggs by seven lengths.
“That was no surprise,” said Fahy. “She had a little bit of form but we didn’t think we’d get a chance to run her over three miles and a furlong, which is her trip. We’re delighted with the win, and it showed why we’ve always had faith in her.
“We won’t chance running her again in a week’s time. We would like to get black type for her. I know it’s a big jump, but she carried plenty of weight today, and I think she looked a classy sort.”
The easy-to-back Monbeg Rose made every yard of the running to take the Gift Horse Gallery Horse & Jockey Hotel Mares’ Maiden hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins and owners Gigginstown House Stud.
The point to point winner, who disappointed on her only start in a bumper, in May, settled quite well and had plenty left in the tank when favourite Myztique challenged in the straight. Under a positive ride from Bryan Cooper, she stretched out nicely to secure a smooth victory.
Eddie O’Leary, of Gigginstown House Stud, said: “She settled in front, jumped nicely, and picked up well, but it was probably an ordinary race and I wouldn’t get carried away with it. Hopefully we’ll be able to sneak a bit of black type somewhere along the line.”
Desoto County (11-4 to 11-10 fav) made a successful first start for his new trainer, Gordon Elliott, when justifying strong support in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Handicap Hurdle. Formerly with Donald McCain, the grey son of Hernando travelled well in the hands of Jack Kennedy, but had to be ridden out late to account for the game Cliffside Park.
“He had been showing us the right signs at home, but I’d say he’ll come on a bit for the run,” said Elliott. “Jack said he had a bit of a blow, and was idle when he got to the front, but it was a good pot and nice to win it. I’d say he could be alright, and he’ll jump fences in time.”
The Val O’Brien-trained Ard Cregg (13-2) foiled a gamble on the returning Teelin Star (9-2 to 5-2fav) when asserting late to land the opening Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase in the hands of Stephen Gray.
The five-year-old mare looked in a spot of bother as the front three moved clear down the back but she responded well to pressure and was all but upsides between the last two. A fine jump at the last carried her past the gamble, and she stayed on strongly to secure her maiden victory.
Mall Dini (7-2) caused a minor upset when galloping clear to take the two-six-and-a-half maiden hurdle for trainer Patrick Kelly. Brought through to lead racing around the final bend by Davy Russell, he quickly shrugged off the challenge of 2-5 favourite Haymount before coasting home a long way clear.
Trainer Jessica Harrington and daughter Kate have enjoyed a great run over the past few months, and New To This Town gave them another winner when making a successful debut in the bumper. Off the pace early, the signs of greenness were obvious, but the four-year-old responded generously to his rider’s urgings to get on top late.
