Cadatharla takes win nin thrilling Tote Killarney National
THRILLER: Cadatharla and Gavin Brouder win for trainer Colm Murphy and owner JP McManus with Frank Berry pictured. Pic: Healy Racing
On the opening day of Killarney’s May meeting, the Tote Killarney National topped the bill and it provided a thriller, in which Cadatharla, ridden by Gavin Brouder for Colm Murphy, just got the better of Paggane and Paul Townend.
The latter travelled well to lead into the straight but the patiently ridden Cadatharla moved up to challenge from two out. He was the less fluent of the two at the final fence but picked up again under pressure to force a photo finish, in which he was shown to have prevailed by the minimum distance.
“Gavin gave him a fantastic ride,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus. “He’s not straight-forward and has his own way of jumping. He has ability but is tricky, and it was a lovely race to win.
“He had been unlucky a few times previously and will now tip away for the summer. He could go to Ballinrobe in a few weeks.”
Victory completed a double for the winning owner as Birdie Or Bust, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Mark Walsh, earlier made all in the mares’ beginners’ chase named in memory of the late, great Donie Sheahan. It was plain sailing for the winner, though nearest pursuer Out For A Stroll sadly suffered a fatal fall two out.
Touched off in the Killarney National, Willie Mullins saddled the first two home in the Michael J Doyle Memorial Handicap Hurdle, and it was Batman Girac, given the most patient of rides by JJ Slevin, who came out on top, beating stable companion Last Kingdom.
The well-backed 7-2 chance sat well off the pace through the early stages but could be noted travelling sweetly under his confident rider. As the race developed, he moved through stylishly, took over at the last, and quickly put matters to bed.
Likely favourite Mozzies Sister was a significant absentee from the listed MD O’Shea’s Tourist Attraction Mares’ Hurdle and that left the way for Royal Hollow to assume control at the head of the market. The latter tried to make all the running and, for much of the trip, looked to be in control, but Stormalong, trained by Ken Budds and ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, came wide, late and fast to land the spoils with three-quarters of a length to spare.
The Denis Hogan-trained Autumn Twist, whose jockey lost his irons when runner-up to Raydamann at Clonmel, made amends in good style by taking the opener, the Killarney Avenue Hotel Maiden. The weight of support was behind Young Churchill, despite that one being in a lather of sweat before the off, and though he tried to make all, he didn’t jump well enough to keep his rivals at bay. Daniel King sent his mount on from three out and readily held off Lodge Man.
There was a tight finish to the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle but Jack Doyle, riding for his father, Pat, got a good response from Romany Brown and they prevailed by half a length from Wholelotofbusines, with Dream Diamond just a neck further back.
Only three contested the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase and odds-on favourite Pied Piper, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Danny Gilligan, made it little more than an exercise canter.
Ten years after his dam did likewise, Midnight Jet took the Killarney Racegoers Bumper for Sam Curling. Ridden by Derek O’Connor, the debutant had a real tussle with the experienced Galileo Sand but found plenty to make a winning start. Being out of a half-sister to Champion Chaser Marine Nationale, he should have a really bright future.
