GIGGINSTOWN House Stud landed the Grade 1 JNwine. com Champion Chase for the fifth year in a row as Outlander sprang a 16/1 surprise. Gigginstown fielded four horses – Outlander, Road To Respect, Alpha Des Obeaux and Sub Lieutenant – in the feature but it was Irish Grand National hero Our Duke who went off the 5/6 favourite.
Jessica Harrington’s charge didn’t travel or jump with any fluency throughout the race though and trailed home a well-beaten seventh. However, he scoped abnormally post race with a rating of four out of five for mucus.
Gordon Elliott’s Outlander won the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas but his form had tapered off since. The nine-year-old gelding sported first-time cheekpieces for this three-mile assignment.
He tracked the leaders under Jack Kennedy before improving to lead after the third last. Road To Respect then threw down his challenge and joined Outlander at the penultimate fence. From there, the pair fought out the €82,600 first prize with Outlander toughing it out best by half a length in the closing stages.
Noel Meade’s Road To Respect (7/2) gave Gigginstown a one-two while Zabana (25/1) came home third, some 14 lengths adrift.
With Elliott at the Breeders’ Cup in Del Mar, America, Kennedy said: “He was back to himself today. He was very disappointing in Punchestown the last day. I know it was his first run of the season but he never jumped a fence.
“Emily McMahon had him out hunting last week and she did a good job with him as he’s back to himself thank God. He never missed a beat the whole way today and he jumped brilliant. The cheekpieces seemed to help as he travelled great. I’m delighted.
“We were spread out across the track and maybe if we had been a bit closer he might have even pulled clear. He was very tough.”
TREBLE
Elliott went on to bag a treble on the day thanks to Poormans Hill in the Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase and Rapid Escape in the Daily Mirror (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.
Poormans Hill (5/4 favourite) has struck a rich vein of form and made it four on the bounce when pushed out by Kennedy to score by half a length for owner Vincent Caldwell.
Kennedy said: “He’s very versatile, over hurdles or fences. All he does is stay going and he’s a little bit careful jumping as well, so a trip gives him a bit of a chance. He has a little more time and that’s suit him a bit better.
“A more galloping track definitely suits him better. Hopefully with a bit of luck he can get another few under his belt.”
Patrick Mullins steered 11/10 favourite Rapid Escape in by a length and a quarter for Gigginstown in the bumper and afterwards said: “We went a real good gallop but he was very green and was behind the bridle all the way.
“I probably got there too soon because I didn’t know how much I had. Once he’s got there he’s taken off. He’s idled a bit in front and he’s a very nice horse.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Elliott and Kennedy as the stewards found there had been a breach of Rule 212 A(ii) in the running and riding of Suitor in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old gelding, who finished in moderate third, was suspended from running for 42 days while Elliott was fined €2,000 and Kennedy was banned for five race days and ordered to forfeit his riding fee. They are appealing the penalties.
GAMBLE
Ten Ten won the race by half a length for Philip Dempsey and Mark Walsh in the J.P. McManus silks. He landed a gamble having traded at over 20/1 in the morning before being returned a 9/2 chance.
“He’s improved since Gowran (when third) and he did everything well. Chasing will be his game as he’s a fine big horse,” Dempsey said.
“I suppose we’ll look for a winners of one, we’ll see what Frank (Berry) thinks. We were very happy with that ground and he’s a proper winter horse.”
Disko (5/4 favourite) put his best foot forward to take the Grade 2 MyCarNeedsA.com Chase for Gigginstown.
The six-year-old grey gelding made all in this extended two-mile, three-furlong race, for Sean Flanagan, to see off runner-up Ballyoisin by half a length.
Trainer Noel Meade said: “He’s a gorgeous horse to have and we’re delighted that he won and he won well. It was a tough task because he was giving away weight to everything. The second horse was well in at the weights on his rating and he’s a fair horse as well. We’re thrilled with him.
“I don’t know if maybe the John Durkan might be considered with him. It possibly would and he’ll certainly be entered in it anyway. I honestly think three miles is his best trip. I’ve always thought stamina is more his forte. He goes a good gallop and keep going.”
Espoir D’Allen made it two from two with a snug length and three-quarter success in the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle.
J.P. McManus looks to have a useful prospect on his hands with the French-bred who didn’t have to go through the gears under Barry Geraghty.
Handler Gavin Cromwell said of the 2/5 favourite: “I suppose the Grade 3 in Fairyhouse is the obvious place to go as it’s a month away.
“He missed the second last and the last a little bit but he was fine and he won well enough. He’s an exciting horse.
“He’s going the right way anyway and giving us all the right signals. I’ve only really had Jer’s Girl and he’s right up there.”
Top Othe Ra was delivered on the line by Paul Townend to land the Grade B Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle by a short-head at 12/1.
Trainer Tom Mullins said: “The ground was too heavy for him in Listowel and his previous run to Lagostovegas was a good run. He’s in all year but he has been working well and showing that he was fit and well to come here. Paul gave him a lovely ride.
“He’s in the Greatwood but that could be biting off more than we can chew.
“His main target will be the Galway Hurdle and he’ll have enough weight to get into it now, whether he’s good enough. He’s won in Galway a couple of times. He’ll get a break after Christmas.”
Elliott had six winners across the two-day Festival of Racing with Gigginstown securing the same number.
ACTING STEWARDS
R. S. Martin, L McFerran, C.P. Magnier, Mrs A. Millar, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
DUNVEGAN (P. A. Fahy): He ran a cracker on his debut at 25/1 to split the market principals in the bumper. Didn’t go unbacked.