Native Upmanship wins at Punchestown
Native Upmanship won the John Durkan Memorial Chase for the second time in three years at Punchestown this afternoon when justifying favouritism in style.
Patiently ridden by Conor O’Dwyer, the 5-4 shot quickened nicely approaching the home-straight to defeat Rince Ri by three lengths and First Gold another length and a half back in third.
Both the placed horses gave creditable performances on their comeback races.
“If I have Native Upmanship as well as Kempton in a couple of weeks I’ll be happy,” said trainer Arthur Moore as he looked forward to challenging for the Pertemps King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
William Hill have cut Native Upmanship from 8-1 to 12-1 for the Kempton feature.
While runner-up Rince Ri will probably stay at home for the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, First Gold beaten a total of four and a half lengths on his first run since last year’s King George will be renewing rivalry with the winner there.
“The trip was a little short but I am very happy with that run as he jumped well and stayed on again,” said jockey Thierry Doumen of First Gold.
His father Francois who trains the nine-year-old added: “That was good – we got some big leaps from First Gold today.”
Always close to the pace, First Gold was quickest in the air at the third last but was outpaced turning for home as the winner went through on the inner and Rince Ri battled on bravely.
Conor O’Dwyer was understandably delighted with Native Upmanship who had been beaten surprisingly at odds-on by Copernicus on his come-back run at Naas 15 days earlier.
“The run at Naas really sharpened him up. This two and a half mile trip is ideal for the horse and his jumping is getting better though he did have a look at the last when he was idling in front.”
Arthur Moore had little hesitation in nominating the trip to Kempton for his stable star.
“It is lovely to have one good enough to go there with a chance. He will like the ground and the track at Kempton.”
This horse is very adaptable and if the ground was very soft at Cheltenham he could run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase rather than the Gold Cup,” added Moore.
Paddy Power cut both the winner (to 12-1) and First Gold (to 8-1) for the King George on the evidence that this race, but Cashmans of Cork were happy to rate both of them as 12-1 chances for the Kempton feature.
Moore and O’Dwyer had initiated a double in the preceding GCM handicap chase when Royal Plaisir (7-2) proved two and a half lengths too good for the 9-4 favourite Royal Jake.
Solerina won like the proverbial good thing in the opening Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle.
Representing the Bowe family of Limestone Lad fame, the 8-11 shot made all the running to follow up a runaway success at Thurles and has a choice of upcoming engagements.
Gary Hutchinson had the favourite bowling along in front and jumping accurately, and the partnership was never really threatened by main market rival Plenty Of Ice, who was five lengths adrift at the line.
