Duffle Coat finally gets his day in the sun by winning Mayo National
MAGIC MONDAY: Duffle Coat and Sam Ewing win the McHale Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Monday. Picture: Healy Racing
Runner-up in five of his six previous attempts over fences, Duffle Coat opened his chasing account and spearheaded a 1-2-3 for Gordon Elliott in the €100,000 McHale Mayo National, the annual feature of Ballinrobe’s calendar.
The second leg of a double for Elliott and in-form jockey Sam Ewing, the seven-year-old grey took command two fences form home before powering clear to slam stable-companion and top-weight Salvador Ziggy by eight lengths, with another Cullentra runner Frontal Assault staying on to deny Toss Again third spot.
“We went a good gallop and he travelled everywhere for me,” said a delighted Ewing. “He was going so well that I felt I had to kick and hope he’d stay going. And he did. The better ground was a big help to him, so we should have a good summer with him.”
The Elliott -Ewing double had been initiated when 10-year-old Beacon Edge, in the Gigginstown colours, made all to take the McHale Pro Glide Hurdle, holding off the determined challenge of No Looking Back by a half-length.
Sent off the 6-4 favourite, Beacon Edge was recording his second win since being transferred from Noel Meade’s to Cullentra.
Ewing enthused: "He’s a dude of a horse. I wanted a lead but wasn’t getting one and I didn’t want to over-complicate things, so I let him roll along. And in fairness to him, he picked up again when the other horse challenged.”
Also in double form was Michael O’Sullivan, who triumphed on Churchroad Prince for Jonathan Sweeney in the McHale Fusion 4 Range Maiden Hurdle and the Dermot McLoughlin-trained top-weight The Echo Boy in the McHale F5000 Range Veterans Handicap Chase.
“He’s still a bit green,” stated the Cork rider after his win on Churchroad Prince. “He was big and bold over the first couple and missed the third last, but he was good at the second last and last, when I needed him. He’s the sort fo horse who will improve with racing.”
Later, having his first run since last summer, The Echo Boy (18-1) delivered in the Veterans Chase, denying last year’s winner and 6-4 favourite Whatsafelltodo readily, after the runner-up looked set for victory when jumping to the front two from home.
But O’Sullivan had the move covered and delivered a well-timed challenge to master the favourite by three lengths.
Winning trainer McLoughlin stated: “He’s a good horse, but we have to mind him. He jumps well and stays three miles, which gives us options. These veterans races are a great idea and I think there’s another one of them in three or four weeks, so that’s probably where he’ll go.”
Ridden for Richard O’Brien by Danny Mullins, Extrapolation made it third time lucky over fences when turning over odds-on favourite Mighty Tom in the McHale Tiger Roll Beginners Chase while jockey Oakley Brown made it three wins from his last four rides for Bill Durkan (a native of nearby Bohola) when guiding Baltic Bird to victory in the McHale Mayo National Handicap Hurdle.
There was a predictable end to proceedings as Patrick Mullins, back from a flying visit to Fontwell, where he scored on 1-9 shot Fine Margin on Sunday, drove 4-5 newcomer Kalix Delabarriere clear to beat a rare bumper runner for Paddy Twomey, Seo Linn, in the McHale Orbital INH Flat Race.
Another bumper winner at this track for Willie Mullins, who won this race with subsequent Grade One winner Mystical Power last year, Kalix Delabarriere carries the familiar colours of the Slaneyside Syndicate.
