'Job done': Collins relieved as Royal Belief takes Limerick win

Royal Belief and Ben Harvey (centre) win the Ryans Cleaning Maiden Hurdle from Daisy Fingall (left). Pic: Healy Racing

Cian Collins was a relieved man after Royal Belief came from the clouds to win the Ryans Cleaning Maiden Hurdle at Limerick on Tuesday.

Backed from as big as 33-1 in the morning to a starting price of 6-1, Royal Belief had five horses in front of him jumping the second last and, while he had managed to edge a little closer by the final obstacle, he still had all five to pass.

However, he powered home from there in the hands of Ben Harvey to beat Daisy Fingall by two lengths.

“Job done,” Collins said. “It wasn’t good to watch but he got it done. His jumping has been letting him down every day and is gradually getting better but he’s far from a natural over his jumps. I’d say he lost a lot of ground. But he has an engine and it was nice to get that win.” 

Asked about the gamble, Collins replied: “He was well-punted but I don’t know too much about that, I’m just happy to get a winner. He was off the bridle a long way but it was great to get it and hopefully he can win again someday.” 

The Kerry trainer also reported stable star Jazzy Matty to be in “great order” after his agonising defeat to Martator in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: “He’ll probably go to Aintree for a two and a half mile handicap hurdle. Cheltenham was heartbreaking but hopefully we’ll be back next year. He saves his best for Cheltenham every year, he loves the track and I’m lucky to have him, he’s a great horse.” 

Paul Townend’s sole ride of the day was a winning one as 6-4 favourite Beauvallon reeled in longtime leader Manoir De Mirande on the run to the last in the Ryans Cleaning (C & G) Maiden Hurdle before pulling four and three-quarter lengths clear at the line.

Townend said: “He improved plenty for his first run [when fifth at Thurles in January] and I think he’ll be a nice dual-purpose horse. He still has a bit of strengthening up to do and has a bit of improving to do jumping-wise as well – he was sticky at a couple – but when I got stuck into him he quickened up nicely. I think he’ll be a fun horse.” 

Even Tho completed a Closutton double when winning the finale, a mares’ bumper. It was a smart effort too as the winner and market rival Araminta pulled miles clear of the field.

"She’s a real nice mare, still very babyish and I think there’s a lot of improvement in her,” winning jockey Patrick Mullins said. “Today was probably the first time my mare really came off the bridle and it took her maybe 10 strides to click into gear but once she did I was always going to get there and we won hands and heels. She’ll go to the Grade Three bumper in Punchestown now. I think she has a bright future.” 

Come On The Lads got off the mark at the third time of asking over fences when winning the Vision Contracting Handicap Chase in the hands of Keith Donoghue.

“He jumped brilliant on the whole bar a couple of small mistakes down the back,” reflected winning trainer Gavin Cromwell. “He’s been a great horse for the lads, we got him for handy money and he won an €80,000 hurdle at Galway last year. 

“I wish they were all that easy,” quipped Aaron Fahey, son of winning trainer Paul Fahey, after Shirzan ran out an impressive winner of the opening race, a fillies’ maiden hurdle.

Jockey Cian Cullinan had to be patient on board the 5-2 shot but when the gap came, Shirzan quickened up impressively en route to a five-length win over 7-4 favourite Louie’s Folly.

“Her homework has been very good and I’ve been very happy with all her previous runs and it’s just nice that it all came together today,” Fahey Jr said.

“She has a nice little turn of foot. Coming down today I thought we’d have to wait for gaps because the plan was always to ride along the rail. And when you’re on the rail you’re going to have to be patient. The gap came and she seemed to have plenty in the tank, it’s a nice win, it’s nice to get them.” 

The Oliver McKiernan-trained Chemdawg led her rivals a merry dance for much of the Party Time Mares Handicap Hurdle but the 25-1 shot was eventually reeled in by 15-2 shot Dolly Watkins, ridden by Simon Torrens, who ultimately ran out a six-length winner.

“She has had her little issues and we gave her time,” winning trainer Aidan Howard said. “She ran very well in Down Royal after a lengthy break and I was hoping she’d go close today.” Tiernan Power Roche rode out his 3lb claim when the Philip Rothwell-trained Duffys Hodey won the Vision Contracting Handicap Chase.

“He is a great old servant, has been brilliant to me, and that's his fourth win for me,” said the jockey of the victorious 7-1 shot.