EOIN McCarthy sent out Elusive Ogie to win the featured Bective Stud, Hotel & Tea Rooms Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle at a truncated Bellewstown on Wednesday evening.
Sent off 8/1 under Dan King, the Denis Enright owned gelding stayed on best on the run-in to post a length success. McCarthy said: “He’s had a frustrating season. I’m delighted for the owner that he’s after getting a little bit back out of the season. Dan is just so cool. It was never happening and he was never panicking. He gave him a peach of a ride. He’ll definitely go to Listowel, I’d imagine. He has options - there’s two and a half miles, and three miles.”
Jockey Danny Mullins rode a double on the card. Daboya was first to score when keeping on best close home to win the Panda Mares Hurdle.
Owned by the Goatsbridge Syndicate, the 9/1 chance overhauled long-time leader Speisialta over 50 yards out to score by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Donohoe delighted
Trainer Dick Donohoe said: “I was delighted when they (three hurdles) came out, it was more like a flat race. She has only had three runs (over hurdles), and we didn’t do a lot of schooling with her. She has been in great form all summer, she has won two and was second in Tramore the last day. We’ll look for another one of those mares’ novices’ hurdles probably, and maybe go back on the flat too, until the ground gets heavy.”
Mullins completed his brace when partnering 20/1 outsider Crypto Crash to win Division l of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Leading after three out, the Ken Budds-trained gelding kept on well to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths for owner Kevin Galvin. Mullins reported: “I’m glad a lot of the hurdles were back in. The shadow from the sun eventually coming over them allowed us to get into a rhythm and that might have been a big help, but a strong galloper towards the finish.
“You’d think looking at his profile that he could be potentially well-handicapped still if he can build from this.”
ROCKY’S Howya won his fifth claimer of the year when making most to land the opening Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Claiming Hurdle.
In front after jumping the first flight, the Mrs Margaret Kiely-owned 5/1 chance made the rest under Eoin Staples to win by eight lengths. Trainer Declan Queally Jr said: “In that grade he is dynamite, but I always kind of think when I come away out of a claimer that I will be able to place him in something that he can be competitive in, but I still haven’t fired that dart - I will try again, though. I think he is a better horse going left-handed and Listowel might be an option. If he is going to do it (out of a claimer), it will be going left-handed at some place like that.”
Alex Harvey made all aboard the John McConnell-trained Thesilverbridle to win the Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Maiden Hurdle.
Found plenty
Sent off 7/4, the 119 Partnership-owned mare found plenty when pressed after the last, keeping on for a three-and-three-quarter length win.
McConnell said: “We did (think she would go well today) - she’s not the biggest, but she is quite well-bred as a half-sister to Senecia. The track was probably not ideal for her, I’d say she wants a bigger track even though she is a smaller horse - all she really is is a galloper.
The owners are very good supporters of mine , so delighted for them. We’ll definitely keep her going. She is a novice now until the end of April, so she is going to have to keep going for that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up in Sedgefield or somewhere. Baby steps and then see where she takes us.”
ARDGILLAN got up late under Josh Halford to win the Money Back Daily Specials With Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Martin Lynch, the Fiona Wentges-owned 18/1 chance beat Steps In The Sand by half a length. Halford reported: “Dad (Michael Halford) actually had him as a bumper horse. We broke him and got him riding, and he showed us the world at home - he’s a very good workhorse but didn’t do it on the track for some reason.
“I think the penny dropped with him today, things worked out for him. I rode him the last day and I thought he needed an up in trip and, to be fair, Martin listened to me and he put a tongue-tie on as well.
“It was great for Martin, he did a great job with the horse. To be fair to Fiona, she was a big part of Dad’s yard for a very, very long time and stayed loyal to me, so it was great to do it in her colours.
“I was able to stay out of trouble. I said I would drop him three-quarters of the way back and take my time on him and just get him into a rhythm because his jumping is very good. He was a bit sticky early on but, when you need a big one, it is there.
“He was very good and I didn’t panic on him turning in. I didn’t want to get there too soon on him but, to be fair, I knew I had plenty of horse to go over the last two, so it was great.”
Final two races are abandoned
FOLLOWING an incident in the sixth race, in which a horse slipped up on the bend, the remaining two race were abandoned.
An IHRB statement read: “The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident in Race 6 at Bellewstown involving Garrick Painter, ridden by Simon Torrens, where Garrick Painter slipped up.
“The Raceday Stewards met with a delegation of riders, the IHRB Clerk of the Course, representatives of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and the Racecourse Manager.
“Having reviewed the footage and considered the observations, the Raceday Stewards determined that in circumstances where they cannot be satisfied that racing should continue due to safety concerns, it is with deep reluctance, they decided that there was no option but to abandon the remainder of the fixture under the provisions of Rule 10.”