Double delight for Queally as I’ll Sort That and Mozzies Sister deliver
JOY AND FRUSTRATION: I'll Sort That and Declan Queally (centre) are left to win the Supermac's Novice Hurdle from Ma Jacks Hill as Welonlyhavedone and Keith Donoghue fall at the last. Both horse and rider were quickly up unscathed. Picture: Healy Racing
Declan Queally bagged a notable across-the-card double with I’ll Sort That and Mozzies Sister in Sunday’s action.
A dual bumper-winner, I’ll Sort That followed up his impressive hurdle debut success when taking the Supermac’s Novice Hurdle in Galway while, less than half an hour earlier, Mozzies Sister readily turned over hotpot Dream On Baby in Wexford’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
Sent off 4/9 favourite, I’ll Sort That was disputing the lead with strong-travelling Welonlyhavedone when that rival crashed at the final flight, leaving the favourite to beat long-time leader Ma Jacks Hill by three lengths.
“He’s a big, hardy boy and got away with it today,” winning rider Queally said. “He’ll probably go to Navan in three weeks for a graded race.”
The Queallys had struck earlier when Mozzies Sister, ridden by Alex Harvey, slammed 4-7 shot Dream On Baby by 13 lengths in Wexford, earning a return to graded company at Navan next month.
Harvey explained: “I was happy to let her roll along early enough to make it a proper test. She stayed on well and had plenty left. I’d say she’s a proper two and a half miler, but she should stay three miles.”
Attending the county hurdling final in nearby Wexford Park, Paul Nolan missed seeing racecourse debutants The Big Clubman (Sean O’Keeffe) and Gin Tonic (Conor Stone-Walsh) land the maiden hurdles on the card.
The Big Clubman looked a potentially smart performer when outpointing 13-8 joint-favourites Parnell Street and The Store Boy in the two-miler while Gin Tonic got the better of Open Secret in the two-and-half-mile maiden, also sponsored by William Hill.
It was a memorable day for local rider Sean O’Keeffe who went on to complete a 1,224/1 treble thanks to victories in both divisions of the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle, on board Pat Foley’s mare Cathryn’s Pet and the Colin Bowe-trained Morell River.
And Henry de Bromhead’s 3/1 favourite Nouvotic (DarraghO’Keeffe) made it three-from three in Wexford when swooping late to foil Release The Beast in the featured Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase.
“He seems to like it around here and today was the plan — Darragh gave him a super ride,” said De Bromhead.
In Galway, Oscars Brother (13/8 favourite) overcame 141-rated O’Moore Park in the beginners’ chase, scoring for the King brothers, Connor and Daniel, and earning a step into graded company.
“We were hoping he’d win today and go for the Florida Pearl at Punchestown,” explained trainer Connor King. “This looked on okay race and I think he can make the step-up in grade.”
The Tom Cooper-trained Amen Kate made all to justify 1-3 favouritism in the mares’ maiden hurdle, forging clear to triumph by eight and a half lengths.
The Munster National-winning combination of Eric McNamara and 5lb claimer Paddy O’Brien struck again with Hees Dynamite in the Brasseries On The Corner Handicap Chase.
O’Brien completed a double when top-weight Red Glory pipped The Nagger Reidy in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Hurdle, also second leg of an across-the-card double for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
And champion trainer Willie Mullins was successful when hurdling debutant Doctor Steinberg (Paul Townend) proved too good for Frankie John and favourite He Can’t Dance in the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate Maiden Hurdle.
