Taunton first for Willie Mullins with Myska
An impressive winner of a Clonmel bumper before making a successful debut over jumps at Thurles, the five-year-old stepped up to Listed class after making the journey to Somerset and was the 10-11 favourite in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Myska was a little keen in the early stages before being settled by Walsh in an extended two-mile contest run in atrocious conditions.
The hat-trick-seeking Jessber’s Dream committed for home early in the straight, but the Irish challenger loomed ominously alongside after jumping the second-last and although she fluffed her lines at the final flight, with the rail to help she galloped clear for a two-and-a-half-length success.
Paddy Power promoted Myska to 5-1 joint-favouritism for the inaugural running of the Grade Two Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March with stablemate Limini.
“Job done. There’s a shortage of mares’ novice hurdles in Ireland, this one cropped up in the programme book and it was Listed, so it’s nice to come with a mare and get some black type,” Walsh said.
“She improved a lot with her jumping from Thurles. These were new hurdles to her and she had a look at the first two, but she warmed up then.
“I think we went a really good gallop for the ground, it rode a good race and we kept at it well.
“She’s a fine mare and has very little experience when you think about it. She’s only run in a bumper and a maiden hurdle, so to step up into a novice like that and win was a good performance.
“She’s a good filly – I don’t know if we’ve too many better than her.”
- Double Seven, last seen finishing third in the 2014 Grand National, makes his return to action in the Free Festival Upgrade Ticket Offer Hurdle at Punchestown today.
The Martin Brassil-trained inmate made great strides in the 2013-14 season, winning five times before heading to Aintree.
Ridden by Tony McCoy and sent off the 10-1 joint-favourite, his supporters were given a great run for their money as he was beaten just over six lengths by Pineau De Re.
Brassil said: “He’s been coming along fine, he’s been back with me a while now.
“It won’t be his ideal conditions at Punchestown, but we need to get a run into him.
“Hopefully he’ll show that there’s some life in him, he’s only turning 10.
“He didn’t disappoint us at Aintree last time so all being well that will be where we’ll aim him again. He’s rated so much lower over hurdles we’d be a bit silly running him off 150 in chases before then.
“As long as he shows us some of his old spark, he’ll have an entry in the National.” In opposition is another old Aintree favourite in Seabass, who returned to winning ways for Ted and Katie Walsh 11 days ago, with Texas Jack and Embracing Change, two more horses better known for their exploits over fences, also in the eight-runner field.
- The New One is likely to have his Champion Hurdle prep run at either Wincanton or Sandown.
Having been forced to miss the International Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier in the month he took on current champion Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle last Saturday when a little rusty.
While no match for Willie Mullins’ star, he was still able to finish second, beating International winner Old Guard. He’s come out of the race 100 per cent fine,” said trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
“He’d had five weeks off with a foot problem, so I’m expecting him to come on a heck of a lot for it.I think he ran as well as could have been expected, actually, in the circumstances.
“He’ll definitely have another race (before Cheltenham). The Haydock one we used last season might come too soon. There are options at Wincanton (Kingwell) and Sandown (Contenders Hurdle), though, it will probably be one of those.
“I’ve not even considered the World Hurdle, he’s still the best British hurdler over two miles and you can’t run away from one horse.”
- Tramore’s fixture on New Year’s Day has been cancelled due to a waterlogged track and an adverse weather forecast.
With the track already unraceable and more unsettled weather expected, the Irish Turf Club announced a 3pm inspection of the track for this afternoon.
However, the seven-race card – due to feature the Listed At The Races Chase - was called off earlier than planned.
Horse Racing Ireland announced the fixture will be rescheduled for Sunday, January 10.
Fresh entries will close at noon on January 5, with declarations to run to be made by 10am on January 8.
As a result of the rescheduling of Tramore, there will be a distance change to one of the races at Fairyhouse on the same day. The BoyleSports Irish Grand National Easter Monday Handicap Hurdle will now be run over two and a half miles and not two miles as previously advertised.
- Gavin Cromwell is aiming Jer’s Girl at the Spring Juvenile Hurdle back at Leopardstown on February 6.
Winner of her first two outings over timber, including a Listed race at Aintree, she was thrown in against the boys for the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.
Everything appeared to be going to plan as she attempted to make all and was still leading on the run to the last, only to be caught in the dying strides by a fellow filly, Willie Mullins’ Apple’s Jade.
“I was gutted, but I’d say they are two very smart fillies,” said Cromwell.
“To beat the boys and still not win is a little hard to take, but she ran a cracker.
“We’ll probably go back to Leopardstown on February 6 for the Grade One. That’s the plan.
“She doesn’t have to have heavy ground but I’d say she’s more effective on it.
“We’ll give her the Cheltenham entries, in the Triumph and the new mares’ race, and see what the ground is like. Cheltenham don’t let it get too fast these days.”
