DAVY Russell rode his first winner since recently returning from a near two month break from the saddle as Gordon Elliott’s unconsidered Definite Plan sprang a surprise in the Molson Coors Maiden Hurdle.
A seven race maiden in points when he failed to complete on four occasions, the James Reilly-owned seven-year-old was allowed to go off at 16/1 for his racecourse debut. However, Definite Plan did have the invaluable assistance of Russell who was riding his first winner since the Galway Festival after which he took time out to recover from some injury niggles.
Definite Plan, whose last run came in a point in May 2018, was the only danger to the front running favourite Cherokee Bill on the run to the last and it was at this point that Russell sensed victory was at hand. He dashed his mount into a challenging position on the inner and Definite Plan responded with a willing effort to carry the day by half a dozen lengths. Elliott will consider a novice hurdle in Britain for his charge.
Just three went to post for the featured Molson Coors Hurdle where the 4/11 shot Quartz Du Rheu was able to record a straight forward triumph for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh. On ratings and at the weights this gelding looked to have been found a good opportunity to atone for his odds on defeat at the hands of Turnpike Trip at Listowel and his task was further eased when Three Wise Men departed on the final circuit. This left the J.P. McManus-owned French import with just Elwood to beat and he readily shook off that one after the final flight to score by five and a half lengths.
GAVIN Cromwell reached another landmark in what is already his most successful season to date as Bay Ambition (8/1) followed her encouraging third to Well Set Up at Roscommon last week by landing the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. This victory made it 40 winners for the season for the trainer (his previous best tally of 33 having been surpassed weeks ago) and this Oscar mare looks a nice staying type on the evidence of her display over this extended two and three-quarter miles. The Jonathan Moore-ridden Bay Ambition stayed on stoutly from the last to overhaul the favourite Multifactorial in the closing stages. The former winning pointer is owned by the Galway-based Hard To Know Syndicate.
Local trainer Colin McBratney supplied quite a well backed winner in Balgowlah who was returned at 7/1 for the M.B. McGrady & Co Accountants Handicap Hurdle having been as big as 20/1 earlier in the day. On his 12th outing over hurdles the four-year-old came with a sweeping late charge under Sean Flanagan to defeat Electricitywork by a length and three-parts.
The outcome could have been different here as Greenandwhitearmy had moved into a close third at the last where he made a terrible mistake from which Ricky Doyle did splendidly to recover but the pair could only manage fifth after getting back on an even keel.
The majority of the day was one to forget for punters and the 11/8 favourite Tiger Twenty Two could only manage third in the 80-102 rated J.P. Corry Build Aviator Handicap Hurdle where Persian Wind won his first race for almost two years. Philip Dempsey trains the nine-year-old and his son Luke made almost all the running on the Robert Honner-owned gelding.
The victorious 10/1 shot hit the line with four and a half lengths to spare over last year’s winner Muroor.
Doyle’s Stylish success
STYLISH Moment notched up his first success since joining Eoin Doyle earlier this year as he came good in the Molson Coors-sponsored beginners chase for horses rated 109 or less over hurdles. A 14 race maiden coming into this near two and a half miles contest, Stylish Moment had been placed on three of his five starts since he was purchased out of Alan King’s yard but he was allowed to go off at 20/1 after suffering a heavy defeat at Kilbeggan last month. Philip Enright’s mount pinged the third last to move to the head of the field and then saw off the effort of Ar Eagla Na Heagla before finishing two and a half lengths clear of Guided By You. Stylish Moment is owned by Christina Hughes and Gerry Friel.
The year at Downpatrick concluded with an eventful Racing Post Handicap Chase which went to the Tom Gibney-trained Tara Mia who made up for an unlucky exit over this course and distance last month when she exited two out when holding the lead. Tara Mia made much of the running under Darragh O’Keeffe in this 0-95 rated contest over just short of three miles and fortune was smiling on her on this occasion. Our Bonus departed at the second last when holding every chance and Tara Mia was then left with what seemed an unassailable lead.
However, the 7/2 joint favourite needed the line as fellow market leader Open To The World – a major on course plunge from 8/1 – stormed home to lose out by just a length after struggling for most of the race. The last fence here was omitted after Sean Flanagan and Quiet Accord took a heavy fall on the previous circuit.