THE Hughes family have dominated the Grade 2 At The Races Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles in recent times, with the late Dessie Hughes and his daughter Sandra having won the two and a half mile contest five years in a row between them.
Acapella Bourgeois, with Ruby Walsh in the saddle, became the latest addition to the roll of honour when giving Sandra Hughes her second successive success in the race with a five-length defeat of Nambour.
Our Duke was a warm favourite for this open-looking contest but he dropped back to the tail of the field going out of the second circuit and was pulled up with four flights remaining.
Rider Robbie Power subsequently reported that his mount never travelled and, when examined by the Turf Club veterinary officer at the request of the stewards, Our Duke was found to be post-race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
The 5/2 winner, owned by the Slaneyville Syndicate made up of members of the Byrne family from Tullow, including Hardy Eustace’s owner Lar Byrne, made virtually all and overcame a bad mistake at the last to win.
His trainer said: “That was a very good performance - it was just a novicey mistake but I think that’s the fastest he’s ever gone down to a hurdle. He’s learning all the time and is really a big-striding horse who needs a galloping track.
“I just thought it was a nice opportunity for him and he did it well. Ruby was very impressed with him but this track wouldn’t have suited him because it’s too sharp. I’ll have to speak to Lar but he could bypass Cheltenham and maybe go to Fairyhouse or, there’s always Aintree.”
Boylesports trimmed Acapella Bourgeois’ odds for the Neptune Investments Hurdle from 50/1 to 33/1 while the same firm also cut his Leopardstown conqueror A Toi Phil’s price to 8/1 (from 10/1) for the same race.
The winning rider initiated a double when the Supreme Horse Racing Club’s 4/7 favourite Uranna got off the mark over fences with a decisive victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase. The Willie Mullins-trained hot-pot was never out of the first two in company with Missyspet and had the race in the bag between the last two obstacles.
Putting the race to bed after the last she went away to account for her rival by seven and a half lengths. Walsh said: “She was entitled to win. She might have been a bit unlucky the last day because she made a bad mistake at the second last but she jumped much better today.”
Stable-companion Tennis Cap headed the betting for the Thurles Racecourse Rated Chase but never got in a blow as Sizing Platinum and Lord Scoundrel dominated it up front.
The favourite did well to fill the runner-up spot behind the eventual 9/4 winner Lord Scoundrel who put in a good jump at the third from home to take the lead.
Finding more for Bryan Cooper in the latter stages, Lord Scoundrel won the day for Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud by one and a half lengths. Cooper commented: “He had fitness on his side and jumped fantastic.
“I was always happy to put pressure on (Sizing Platinum) a long way out because he wants a bit further and I knew he’d stay.”
Hurricane Darwin recorded a fortuitous win in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle when breaking his duck over jumps at the fourth attempt for Barry O’Connell and Alan Fleming.
The 11/8 favourite made most and, having survived a blunder three out, took full advantage when the new leader Union Dues over jumped the final flight and knuckled over on landing, to collect by 12 lengths in the hands of Adrian Heskin.
The successful trainer agreed: “We had a great bit of luck there. I think our fellow’s going to go chasing now and probably a little bit of better ground will help him over fences.”
John Joe Walsh supplied the first two home in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle but unfortunately for punters they finished in the wrong order, with 14/1 shot Sonny B outpointing market leader Positive Approach by two and a quarter lengths.
Carrying the colours of Tony Byrne from Co. Donegal who unfortunately was unable to attend, the winner was making his handicap debut and Walsh remarked: “He had a good mark over hurdles and seemed to be coming back to form. He’ll probably go back over fences now.”
Co. Kilkenny-based Ronnie O’Neill is not only the successful trainer of Tipperary (Lady Riders) Handicap Hurdle winner Lets High Five It but also owns and bred the always-prominent 12/1 chance who came out on top for Rachael Blackmore by two and three-quarters of a length from Mississippi River.
O’Neill said: “I had Rachael booked two weeks ago and she was the key today because he’s not an easy horse to ride. I’ve been getting rid of some of the older horses in the yard at the sales in England to make room for the younger ones and he’s for sale.
“He was seven before he ran but there’s no sale for a couple of months so I might run him in Gowran next week. He’d win a race in England easier than here.”
Socksy, representing the father and daughter partnership of Jimmy and Jane Mangan, outstayed the opposition in the mares’ bumper to spring a 16/1 surprise by one and a quarter lengths at the expense of the odds-on favourite Freeway Space.
The five-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth races in The Governess colours of Cidric Brooks from Cheltenham and her handler stated: “Jane gave her a great ride and we’ll look for a mares’ hurdle for her now.”
ACTING STEWARDS
T.P. Rudd, A.J. Molloy, N.P. Lambert, P.D. Matthews.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
TARAS CALL (Mark Fahey): He stepped up on his poor showing behind Au Quart De Tour at Gowran to take second in the two-mile maiden hurdle and may be suited by a longer trip.