MISS Xian vindicated the decision to run her from 6lb out of the handicap as she recorded a victory that was precious and hard fought in the Woodlands Park 100 Club Leinster National Handicap Chase.
Fresh from a resounding success over this course and distance two weeks previously, the Francis Flood-trained mare coped well with the better ground as she chased some valuable blacktype. Mark Enright once again took the mount on the Con Cronin-owned daughter of Milan who held a decent position throughout this €50,000 three-mile contest.
Miss Xian (9/2) held a slender lead jumping the second last but looked held after the final fence when the novice Bothar Clei moved ahead. The mare is a thorough stayer though and the stiff finish played to her strengths as she battled on dourly to join her rival on the line, edging the photo finish by a nose. Sonny B, who was travelling notably well turning in, took third with Ad Idem fourth.
Fran Flood said: “She’s tough and she stays and if we get a nice cut in the ground we might head on to Punchestown for a three-mile, five-furlong handicap chase.”
Sandra Hughes’ decision to skip a trip to Cheltenham with Phil’s Magic paid dividends as he touched off stablemate Prince Of Scars in the Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle. This listed event brought together some useful types and on this evidence Phil’s Magic is a contender for some quality events at the upcoming Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals.
The Lyreen Syndicate-owned winner challenged the lightly raced Prince Of Scars for the lead with two to jump. The well-backed Phil’s Magic (6/4) wasn’t fluent at the last but battled back well for Jonathan Burke to carry the day by half a length.
“Both of them are lovely horses. Phil’s Magic was bought by Dad as a chaser and he’s going to be one to look forward to next season, as is the second,” declared the trainer. “Phil’s Magic might step up to two and a half miles at Fairyhouse.”
Davy Russell recorded his second double in as many days and it began with Fine Righty (6/1), a handicap chase winner at Ayr last time, in the Grade 3 Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase. The favourite Noble Emperor exited at the third but otherwise this two and a half mile passed without incident and the strong-travelling Fine Rightly helped to force the pace from some way out. He was still on the bridle as he faced up to the last two fences and lasted home for a one length win over Rule The World while the four finishers were covered by a mere three lengths.
“He’s going the right way and we’ve always thought a lot of him,” reflected Stuart Crawford, who trains the gelding for owner-breeder Patricia Duffin. “He is a fantastic jumper although he is a bit careful over his fences still. The big thing with this horse is winter ground and hopefully if the ground is soft we’ll get another run or two into him.”
Russell then struck on the lightly-raced Fletcher in the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle. Eddie Harty’s charge won a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in January but was previously well held at Clonmel which contributed to his starting price of 20/1. The patiently ridden Fletcher scythed through the pack in the straight to launch a strong challenge coming to the last and he stayed on powerfully on the run in to cut down 25/1 chance Mrs Mac Veale. Fletcher carries the colours of Philip Reynolds.
SURPRISE
There was another surprise lying in wait at the outset of the card as the 14/1 shot Rossvoss registered a resounding success in the four-runner beginners’ chase. The former County Hurdle second Tennis Cap was an odds-on favourite on his first start for almost two years but, having jumped big early on, he folded entering the straight. Second favourite Kick On Boss could then muster no response when pressed by the Dermot Desmond-owned winner who powered clear after the last to score by 15 lengths.
“It was a surprise. He was the best horse on the day but the other two are surely better than they showed,” commented Ted Walsh, whose gelding only returned to action last month following a 15-month absence. “Maybe on nice ground he can fulfill the promise he showed earlier in his career.”
The card concluded with a smart display from the newcomer Tara Fow (10/1) whose win in the bumper could have put her in line for a trip to Aintree. The odds-on Last Encounter looked to have made a race winning move with a quarter of a mile to run but he was unable to fend off Katie Walsh’s mount who picked up well to strike the front inside the distance. Tara Flow, who carries the colours of the Good As Gold Syndicate, succeeded by a length and three-quarters of a length.
“Liz Connolly got at her and has turned her inside out,” remarked Fahy, who has won with two of Tara Gold’s siblings in previous seasons. “She’s an own-sister to a good mare in Tara Point and we’ll look at another bumper for her, possibly the mares’ race at Aintree.”
Punters also suffered a reversal in the three-mile maiden hurdle as Captain Von Trappe (7/2) saw off the 6/5 favourite Golden Boot. The Davy Condon-ridden winner held a useful lead turning for home but in between the last two flights Golden Boot looked to have been delivered with a perfectly timed challenge. However, the market leader was unable to pick off the Gigginstown-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained runner who stayed on determinedly to succeed by a length.
Acting Stewards
N.B. Wachman, P.N. Reynolds, M. Hickey, J. Martin Smith, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
HENRY HIGGINS (C. O’Brien): On his first run since November he shaped up nicely to be beaten two lengths into third in the novice hurdle won by Phil’s Magic and this promising son of Jeremy will be worth watching out for at the major spring festivals.
Two-day ban
MARK Enright picked up a two-day whip ban for his efforts on Miss Xian while Davy Russell reported that the beaten favourite in that race, Owega Star, never travelled.