The Wallpark delivers another Troytown for Elliott
JACK'S JOY: Jack Kennedy savours the moment after winning the BAR 1 Betting Troytown Handicap Chase on board The Wallpark. Picture: Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott saddled nine of the 18 runners for the BAR 1 Betting Troytown Handicap Chase and landed the €100,000 Navan feature for the eighth time as The Wallpark, a classy staying hurdler, broke his duck over fences in convincing style.
The eight-year-old, sporting cheekpieces and a tongue-tie for the first time, jumped more fluently than in his previous outings over fences, cruised into contention, and stayed on dourly up the hill to hold the late surge of He’s Gorgeous by almost two lengths, with Kinturk Kalanisi a creditable third.
The Wallpark was ridden by stable-jockey Jack Kennedy, who rode his first winner over fences on Riverside City, also owned by JP McManus, in the Troytown back in 2015.
The Kerry man, who received a four-day careless riding ban following an incident between the last two fences, explained: “I was very happy the whole way. He hasn’t been the bravest of jumpers but he got into a lovely rhythm. He got there very easily, but plenty soon enough, and stayed on well up the hill.”
Elliott added: “Navan is our local track and it’s where I want to win. And it’s great to win an eighth Troytown.
“He’s been a bit hot and cold and I thought he’d come on for this run. He was one of the few that Jack could do the weight on and it has all worked out great.
“He looked well-handicapped on his best hurdle form and it’s great he’s had his day and broken his duck in a good race.”
Earlier, odds-on favourite With Nolimit, winner of the Grade One bumper at Punchestown last spring and successful at 1-6 on his recent hurdling bow at Down Royal, initiated a Sunday double for Elliott when making all for an emphatic win over Gillane in the Grade Three John Lynch Carpets Monksfield Novice Hurdle.
Ridden by Jack Kennedy, the Gigginstown-owned gelding forged clear on the run-in to score by four and a quarter lengths, prompting Elliott to comment: “He’s a lovely horse, one to look forward to as a chaser — Jack says he wants a fence.
“He was way better than at Down Royal, a lot sharper, and would be better with a lead. Jack kept it simple in front and he’s a horse with a great attitude.
“He’s quick enough for two miles, but we’ll keep him to middle-distances for the moment. He’ll go to either Leopardstown at Christmas or the Grade One in Naas in the new year. He doesn’t want heavy ground. And, obviously, Cheltenham is in the back of our minds.”
The Race And Stay Beginners Chase produced a fascinating duel between a pair of exciting chasing recruits as Fruit De Mer (Sean Flanagan) outpointed Elliott’s Classical Creek, ultimately stretching clear to triumph by eight and a half lengths.
Fruit De Mer was the second leg of a fine double for Henry de Bromhead who commented: “He always loose-schooled brilliantly and jumped brilliantly today. He was a bit lairy at the last but got going again and won well. And he’ll come on plenty from it.”
In the maiden hurdle action, Huff’n’Puff (3-1) made a successful start over obstacles when taking the BAR 1 Casino 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of 33-1 shot Glen Echo, sparking the De Bromhead double.
“We hoped he’d take to hurdling like that,” said the trainer. “Jordan [Gainford] gave him a brilliant ride — he nursed him around — and he stayed at it well. I’d say he’ll go to Leopardstown for the good three-year-old hurdle over Christmas.”
Gavin Cromwell continued his rich vein of form when Theemeraldempress, confidently handled by Keith Donoghue, proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
“She a simple filly to deal with at home, so I didn’t know what to expect,” said Cromwell. “But that was a good performance – she travelled and stayed going well. She came highly-recommended by Sean Doyle and I like her — she has gears and stays well.”
Off the track since starting favourite for a Grade Two event at the DRF last February, the Sonny Carey-trained Brosna Shine captured the listed Coolmore NH Sires EBF Mares Flat Race, Pa King’s mount getting first run on favourite Sarahs Lawn and holding on by a length.
Successful in the race last year, off a 9lb lower mark, and off the track for 344 days, Paddy’s Milestone swooped late to deny Matt Connor in the BAR 1 Betting Tara Handicap Hurdle, scoring for Stuart Crawford and Sam Ewing.
And it proved a day to remember for Rian Lane as the Cork teenager notched his first racecourse success on board the Ken Budds-trained Crypto Crash in the Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells Handicap Hurdle.
