HE was beaten at long odds on his Irish debut and he may have had to work to land the odds at Limerick last month, but Five O’Clock showed just what he can do in landing the Grade 3 Markaye Contracts Ltd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle.
A fourth winner of this race for Willie Mullins, who took the inaugural running back in 2004, the Susannah Ricci-owned Five O’Clock was stepping up markedly in class for this two-and-a-half-mile affair. Paul Townend opted for stablemate Drury. However, this assignment brought about by far Five O’Clock’s best effort since he arrived in Ireland. The 7/1 chance loomed up menacingly on the outer for Danny Mullins turning for home and took control of the race before the last en route to defeating Front View by six lengths.
On his first start since November, the latter caught the eye and will be of considerable interest if taking up one of his three handicap entries at Cheltenham. Meanwhile, Five O’Clock is likely to stay at home in the spring with Mullins believing that a galloping track will bring out the best in his charge who wasn’t seen to best effect over two miles on Limerick’s inside track last time.
Edged opportunity
As expected, the day began with a victory for Mullins and Paul Townend as Salsaretta took advantage of a gilt-edged opportunity in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase to make it three wins from as many starts over fences.
The 147-rated Susannah Ricci-owned seven-year-old had upwards of 19lb to spare over her three rivals on official ratings for this two-and-three-quarter-mile contest and she looked most assured at all stages.
The 1/5 favourite was untroubled to finish nine lengths ahead of Caravation after making the running and it looks a matter of time before she is making her mark in blacktype company as a chaser. She could now tackle the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Chase at Limerick in three weeks where she is likely to face off against her Grade 2- and Grade 3-winning stablemate Elimay.
There was another class act on show in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ INH Flat Race where Politesse (4/5) confirmed the promise of her excellent second to Darling Daughter in a Leopardstown Grade 2 at the start of the month. The Lorna Fowler inmate was sent to the front by Tom Hamilton inside the final half mile en route to a smooth five-length triumph over Watergate Lady.
The victorious half-sister to Don Poli is owned by Pete Davies and her joint breeders Harry Fowley and Alex Frost and would look a major contender for any quality bumper between now and the end of the season.
Drought ended
Punters were dealt a further reversal as the odds-on Gold Des Bois could only manage third behind Granny Knot (14/1) in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle for horses who had never previously finished in the first three.
A first winner for owner-trainer Paul McEnery since November 2017, the Windsor Knot five-year-old had previously shown ability in a bumper at this track and when sixth behind The Big Getaway at Naas last month. The Sean O’Keeffe-ridden Granny Knot got home by one and three-quarter lengths from the 66/1 chance Barangarou.
ONE of the most interesting races on the card was the hunters’ chase, which brought together some of the more prominent members of this sphere, and it served up a surprise as Macs Legend struck for Cork-based trainer Gerard Kelleher. The Shane Prendeville-owned 12-year-old won a couple of hunters’ chases in 2018 and came here off some respectable runs in defeat but he was still a relatively unconsidered 25/1 chance.
In a race where Mighty Stowaway and Wounded Warrior set a gruelling pace, not many of the runners got involved and the Michael O’Sullivan-ridden Macs Legend was a remote fifth with four to jump. Not long afterwards Samurai Cracker looked sure to score when he moved ahead but he was running on empty late on and had nothing more left to give after the last which allowed the steady efforts of Macs Legend to carry the day. Of the fancied runners Some Man was a remote fourth and finished a place in front of Mighty Stowaway, while Ucello Conti and Stand Up And Fight both pulled up. The winning jockey was given a two-day whip suspension.
Memorable season for Enright
AFTER matching his previous best tally for a season last month when reaching the 30-winner mark, Philip Enright has added further lustre to a memorable campaign by notching up three further victories in the last week. Remarkably, Enright’s 33 winners this season have been spread among 20 different trainers.
The jockey’s latest triumph came courtesy of the James Dullea-owned and trained Tikkanen Express (10/1) in the two-mile handicap chase. The useful 128-rated nine-year-old led with five to jump and made his stamina count as he kept on well to defeat the former high-class hurdler Kitten Rock by three parts of a length, with the favourite Mitchouka staying on for third. A tilt at a €50,000 handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs at Leopardstown next Sunday could be next for the winner.
Port Rashid, who provided Jody Townend with her first winner on the track at Tramore in April 2018, struck again under that rider in the Connolly’s Red Mills Ladies Pro/Am Handicap Hurdle which was the latest leg in the 2020 Irish Lady Riders National Hunt Series. Port Rashid (16/1), who is owned and trained by the rider’s father, Tim, saw off Knockraha Boss by a length and a half.