WORLD Of Fortunes (6/1) got a lovely run through on the inner turning for home to land the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle under top weight at a rain-lashed Ballinrobe on Friday.
The Liam Kenny-trained mare, a dual listed winner over flights, had disappointed when jumping poorly on her chase debut at Tramore, but bounced back in fine style on her return to hurdling.
Tiernan Power Roche produced Michael Broderick’s seven-year-old to lead on the bend and she kept on well to record a half-length win over Its Not Over Yet.
Power Roche said: “She’s usually Jordan Gainford’s ride, but the lads just wanted to take a few pounds off her back. Jordan told me all about her jumping. I probably wasn’t helping her today because I didn’t know her very well, but she obviously has the raw ability to carry that weight on that summer soft ground.”
Off the mark
Littlebiggie (3/1) got off the mark at the third time of asking over fences in the P&D Lydon Mares Beginners Chase.
The Ray Hackett-trained mare, runner-up in both previous chase starts, headed odds-on shot Mozzies Sister three out before going on to account for that rival by six and a half lengths in the colours of Mrs Siobhan Hogan.
It was a winning spare ride for Dan King, who deputised for Liam Quinlan, and said: “She jumped her way into the race. She needed to be tough as well, it’s quite testing ground out there. I was told to take my time a little today, she normally leads and can be quite keen and a bit revved, but once I jumped two or three she relaxed lovely.”
A quirky sort
The Eamonn Gallagher-trained God Help Us (12/1) came from off the pace to take the Lodge At Ashford Castle Handicap Chase under Simon Torrens.
Three jumped the last together in the two-mile, seven-furlong contest and it was God Help Us who finished off the strongest to beat Ballagh Star by a length and a half.
Jockey Simon Torrens remarked: “He’s probably a quirky sort, but I rode him the last day at Limerick and learned loads about him. I rode him a bit differently today and it paid off. He stayed well and I’m delighted for Eamonn and for John O’Meara who owns him.”
LIKE God Help Us, Howya Luveen (12/1) was another winning pointer to score under rules for the first time when landing the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The Ross O’Sullivan-trained mare, owned by the Galway-based Downtown Syndicate, bagged the lead running down to the last and scored by six lengths from Warm In Gorey.
Jockey John Shinnick said: “She had a good blow going to the second last and I think she’ll improve. She probably wants further on better ground.”
Governor rules
Governors Rock (6/1) galloped on powerfully up the straight to register his second win in bumpers in the OCL Laundry (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race
Successful for Peter Flood at Wexford in July, the Joshua Tree gelding was having his first start for Mark Fahey. Prominent throughout under David Doyle, the winner kicked clear approaching the straight to defeat market leader Blue Waters by five and a half lengths. Trainer Mark Fahey said: “He’s only four and has a big career ahead of him. It was a good call by Fearghal Hogan, who picked him out for Jeff Brennan. Jeff does like to sell a few and we’d be open to phone calls.”
Third time lucky
Sopelana (12/1) took the Burke’s Clonbur 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle on her third start over flights. The Cian Collins-trained daughter of Expert Eye came from mid-division to lead after the last and went on to beat Bridezilla by four and three quarter lengths.
Jockey Jordan Gainford reported: “It’s proper soft ground, but she handled it well and might go on winter ground.”
Television presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin and new Mayo GAA coach Paddy Tally are part of the winning Tallys Bar syndicate, and the former was present to celebrate 22 years after Traverse, ridden by the late Sean Cleary for Pat Flynn, gave him his first victory as an owner at the same venue.
THE Willie Mullins-trained Korinthia (4//7) was the only favourite on the card to oblige, as she made a winning debut over jumps in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The dual bumper winner, owned by the Killeedy & Listowel Syndicate, was settled behind the leaders and Paul Townend produced her on the run-in to beat Youre A Derry Girl by two and three quarter lengths.
Patrick Mullins said afterwards: “Paul said it was a messy race, but she settled much better than she had in her bumpers. Jumping and a hood probably helped, and probably Paul’s hands as well!
“He said the ground was plenty soft for her, she’s not very big, and she took a blow so there should be improvement. I don’t think she’s going to be a real middle of winter horse, but you can get dry ground now into November, so there’ll be a few options.”
Thurles in mind
Priory Park (7/1), a three-time winner for the late Edward O’Grady, took the Michael Cawley Suspended Ceilings Handicap Hurdle under Eoin Staples.
The nine-year-old came from well back to post a six-and-a-half-length success over front-runner Down Around in the colours of his new trainer Eddie Power.
Power said: “I’d have been friendly with Edward and he was always very good to me. We got him after Edward passed. I would have fancied him more had the rain not come, but he handled the ground well and maybe the change of scenery has helped him.
“We’ll mix and match, but I have the Molony Cup at Thurles in December in mind, so he might stay over hurdles until then.”