Morris has sights set on Aintree
A crack at the 2009 Aintree Grand National is firmly in the sights of Mouse Morris after his Hear The Echo stormed to success in the Powers Whiskey-sponsored Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.
The seven-year-old had shown a decent level of form as a novice last year and had won at Grade Two level last January, but it had been downhill ever since.
However, racing over an extreme test – three miles and five furlongs – for the first time, he jumped impeccably and outstayed ante-post gamble Royal County Star from the Tony Martin yard to win by 12 lengths.
Notre Pere ran a cracker for a novice in third, with A New Story fourth. The latter’s veteran stablemate Beef Or Salmon pulled up going to the second-last.
For Morris and jockey Paddy Flood, it was a welcome winner after a near-miss at Cheltenham with Venalmar.
“This horse disappointed in the Paddy Power, but a lot of mine were sick at the time,” said Morris.
“He came right the week before Cheltenham and he travelled very well and jumped super.
“He is a real National-type horse and he would have gone to Aintree this year only he wouldn’t have got in. The plan is to go to Aintree next year.”
Hear The Echo also saved the bookmakers a monster pay out as the huge ante-post gamble narrowly missed the target.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: “Hear The Echo’s win was just what we wanted.
“We feared the worst when Royal County Star loomed large, but the latest Tony Martin gamble has been thwarted. By only finishing runner-up, we’ve managed to avoid a massive payout on Royal County Star and could not be more relieved.”
Conor O’Dwyer made his last ride a winning one on Mister Top Notch for Davy Fitzgerald in the Betchronicle On Course Hurdle.
A dual winner of both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup, the 41-year-old was one of the most respected members of the weighing room and will now concentrate on his fledgling training career.
“When Davy Fitzgerald rang me to ride Mister Top Notch I’d decided that was going to be it – win, lose or draw,” said O’Dwyer.
“I felt the time had come to be fair to my owners and I’ve been lucky to get by without any serious injuries.”
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh continued their good run at the meeting when Shakervilz defied his novice status to win the betchronicle.com Hurdle.
Walsh grabbed the bull by the horns and was first to make a move on the 2-1 favourite and despite Hi Cloy challenging over the final two flights, the five-year-old just had to be kept up to his work to win by five lengths.
The runner-up Hi Cloy ran a fine race in what was essentially his trial for the Grand National and was left unchanged at 50-1 for that race by William Hill.
Cashmans gave the winner a 50-1 quote for the 2009 World Hurdle.
Mullins said: “Three miles brings out the best in him and I will probably keep him hurdling next season, we’ve no immediate plans to send him over fences yet.
“More than likely he will go to Punchestown.”
Tom Hogan’s Kalderon took advantage of the small field to return to winning ways in the Betchronicle Private Client Telebet Hurdle.
Only two went to post but it was Hogan’s charge who came out on top over Earth Magic for the Grade Three event.
Hogan said: “I’ll have a look at Aintree or Punchestown now.”
