Bally books Irish National ticket
The Irish Grand National is on the agenda for Ballytrim after he bounced back to form to land the Lucan Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas.
Trained by Willie Mullins and running in the famous colours of the O’Leary family carried to so many big-race wins by the likes of Florida Pearl and Missed That, he held on in a thrilling finish from Bluesea Cracker.
His win will have come as something of a surprise to some, though, as he disappointed badly last time in the Thyestes Chase.
Sent off at 8-1, the nine-year-old was given a typically patient ride by Paul Townend, riding for the same connections as he will in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cooldine.
He looked to have everything covered, but Davy Condon was a persistent challenger all the way up the straight on Bluesea Cracker, who eventually went down by half a length. Rare Bob was back in third attempting to give 23lb to the winner.
Mullins said: “The light weight was a big help in a race like this. I would love to run him in the English National, but I doubt he’ll get in (10st 1lb), and probably the Irish National is where we’ll go.
“I have to apologise to the owner as I told him not to come today!”
Colm Murphy’s Zaarito (4-7 favourite) managed to put in a clear round in the Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase.
A faller in Grade One company the last twice, he was entitled to win without coming off the bridle for Condon.
“He can jump! He’s been unlucky and has done stupid little things at stupid times,” said Murphy.
“He’s done a lot of schooling since. Over drains and banks – you name it, he’s jumped it. We’ll stick to the plan and go for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. He has plenty of pace and can go up or down in trip. He’s grown up a lot as well.
“The last day probably answered a few questions for us. It’s just a matter of keeping him in one piece.
“The day after Leopardstown he was bucking and rolling. He must be made of elastic or something. We always thought he wanted better ground and Davy said that today. We have a bit more confidence after that and he deserved it.”
Oliver McKiernan’s Whodoyouthink (5-4 favourite) paid a bit of a compliment to Dunguib by winning the www.naasracecourse.com Novice Hurdle.
Fourth to the rising star of the jumps game in the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle on his last start, he found this much easier and went away after the last flight to beat Stonemaster by three and a half lengths.
McKiernan said: “He picked up well from the last to the line. Probably two miles was always going to be a bit short for him, but he showed a nice turn of foot and put it beyond doubt quickly, which I liked.
“We could find nothing wrong at Leopardstown last time, but he emptied very quickly and that’s not usual for him. Saying that, it was a better class of race.
“The ground in the straight was good-ish and that suited him. We’ll go to Fairyhouse for a two-and-a-half-mile novice now.
“He could run at Punchestown as well and I’d say he’ll do another year of hurdling next season.”
Dancing Tornado reverted to the smaller obstacles in fine style to land the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle under a canny ride from youngster Adrian Heskin.
Winning trainer Michael Hourigan said : “He didn’t jump well on is last couple of runs over fences and we wanted to sharpen him up a bit.
“I’m delighted Adrian got a chance to ride him. He’s a good kid and that’s his 11th winner. He’s only 17, so I’m minding him a bit.
“The winner will probably go back chasing now. A New Story also ran some race and will go to Cheltenham now for the cross-country.”
The corresponding card 12 months ago saw the likes of Sports Line, Joncol and Coole River win, so it will interesting to see if any of this year’s scorers emerge as good as those three.
