MINELLA Indo’s steady and assured start to a season which is building towards a Cheltenham Gold Cup assault, a race for which he appeals as one of the best contenders around, continued with a smooth success in the Grade 2 BetVictor Make Your Best Bet Chase.
Fresh from a commanding display at Wexford last month, the Barry Maloney-owned Minella Indo was sent off the 2/11 favourite to deal with three over-matched rivals in this three-mile race and he won nicely. The race didn’t unearth anything revelatory concerning the winner or his rivals but it did show that Henry de Bromhead’s charge is in excellent heart as he limbered up for a return to Grade 1 level.
For much of the race Rachael Blackmore took a lead on Minella Indo who eventually started to move ahead of Brahma Bull after three out. The market leader was in full control and had yet to be extended nearing the last fence which he jumped as if it were the first before a seven-and-a-half-length triumph.
“It was nice to see him do it so well. He looks a lot sharper this year and I’m delighted with the performance and to win a Grade 2 to go with it,” said the trainer. “I think we will aim for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. That was the plan if everything went okay today and that’s the route we will follow.”
Rachael Blackmore went on to complete a double on Lord Erskine who struck at 18/1 in the BetVictor Run For Your Money Handicap Hurdle where the Harry Rogers inmate was winning for the first time in two and a half years.
Back at the track where he won the Irish Cesarewitch in 2017, the Jeremiah Nolan-owned seven-year-old took charge after the last in this two-and-three-quarter-mile affair and he reached the line with a length and a half to spare over Lee Valley Legacy. He could now head to Leopardstown next month.
Connell again
A fine season for Barry Connell yielded a seventh winner for the owner-trainer in just over two months as Big King won the BetVictor Gamble Responsibly Handicap Hurdle over two miles. The six-year-old was only fourth in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle on his last start two months previously but the subsequent exploits of the winner, The Shunter, have put that race in an entirely different perspective and Big King (16/5) won with plenty to spare.
Under a patient Mark Bolger he was the only member of the field to collar and head the free-wheeling leader Trixie Mac whom he left behind on the run in to score by a smooth five and a half lengths. He too could be Leopardstown-bound.
Fakiera gives Elliott sixth Monksfield
THE expectation here was that Gordon Elliott would win the Grade 3 BetVictor Casino Monksfield Novice Hurdle for the fifth time in six years which he did but it was Fakiera (4/1) and not the evens favourite Farouk d’Alene who prevailed.
The latter turned in a ragged round of jumping characterised by a marked tendency to go out to his right and he was a spent force after two out.
At this point Fakiera had work to do to get on terms with the leaders, but Keith Donoghue got the Tim O’Driscoll-owned gelding into full flight on the run to the last. Fakiera winged that obstacle to bear down relentlessly and he struck the front late on to defeat the hurdling newcomer Fire Attack by half a length.
The winner was trying two and a half miles for the first time.
“The step-up to this trip made a big difference to him,” reported Elliott. “I’m delighted for Tim who is a great supporter and we will look at coming back here for the Grade 2 novice hurdle over the same distance next month. Farouk d’Alene jumped didn’t seem to have a problem going left-handed last season so hopefully he can put this behind him.”
Touched off
The day began with a reversal for odds-on punters when Wide Receiver (5/6) was touched off by Ashdale Bob in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.
The market leader, whose jumping was indifferent, looked to be in charge nearing the last but a mistake there cost him and he was unable to match the Paddy Kennedy-ridden Ashdale Bob (5/1) – who scored by a length – on the run-in.
Jessica Harrington trains the five-year-old son of Shantou for Diarmuid Hogan and he was returning to the form that saw him shape with distinct promise on his first two outings last winter.
Better luck for Foster
SNEEZY Foster was in terrible luck at the last Navan meeting when Pike County fell at the last when sure to win a handicap hurdle but better fortune awaited her in the BetVictor Handicap Hurdle where Dragon’s Pass (10/1) struck in the colours of her breeder Peter Newell.
A 15-race maiden coming into this 80-95 rated affair, this four-year-old was produced by Sean Flanagan to pounce after the last and she kept on strongly after getting to the front on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths.
The winner will be kept on the go for the winter.
Castra makes it three
CASTRA Vetera (9/4), won two of her three starts last season and returned with victory in the Listed Coolmore N.H. Sires EBF Mares INH Flat Race for Joseph O’Brien.The Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner made the running for Tom Hamilton and produced a strong staying performance to finish just under four lengths ahead of last month’s stylish Tipperary winner Party Central.
The former Grade 2-winning bumper horse Blackbow (5/2) met with four odds-on hurdle defeats last season but a switch to chasing brought about a revival in his fortunes.
The Willie Mullins-trained and Roaringwater Syndicate-owned gelding produced a lovely front-running display characterised by some very good jumping apart from an error two out. The David Mullins-ridden seven-year-old readily outpointed the favourite Entoucas to score by four and a quarter lengths.