Newmill gallops rivals into submission
Newmill benefited from an enterprising ride from Garret Cotter to record a memorable success in the Boylesports Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
Cotter wasted no time in sending Newmill into the lead in the Grade One contest and the 13-2 chance soon established a clear advantage and at one stage was almost 30 lengths in front of the chasing pack headed by the 3-1 favourite Strike Back.
Strike Back made an effort to reduce the deficit with four of the 16 furlongs left to travel but was making heavy weather of the task and it was left to Mariah Rollins to close the gap.
Newmill was still going well as they turned for home with two flights left to jump but Mariah Rollins was beginning to reel in the leader.
However, sloppy jumps at the last two hurdles halted the challenger’s momentum and Newmill held on to land the winner’s purse of 45,500euros by three-quarters of a length from the staying-on Mariah Rollins (14-1) with Strike Back third.
Winning trainer Tom O'Leary, 30, was enjoying his biggest success to date.
He said: “He likes Fairyhouse, He won the Goffs Land Rover Bumper here first go and he’s a very fast horse in his paces and in his hurdling.”
And Cotter added: “No-one wanted to make it. He jumped really quick, which won it for us. A gave him a breather at halfway and then he took off again.”
Newmill is now to be aimed at the Paddy Power Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 27.
Fresh from his win on Strong Flow in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday, Ruby Walsh enjoyed another big-race success when Nil Desperandum ran away with the Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase.
The 11-4 chance was always in touch as Satco Express cut out the running pressed by Catalpa Cargo and Pizarro.
Nil Desperandum made ground to take up a challenging position off the final bend.
Walsh sent his mount into the lead three out, where 7-4 favourite Pizarro pulled up, and a good jump there saw Frances Crowley’s charge begin to draw away from his field.
Galloping on strongly Nil Desperandum had 14 lengths to spare over Catalpa Cargo at the line with Ballyamber a further length away in third.
Following the win Ladbrokes quote Nil Desperandum at 10-1 from 20-1 for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
