THERE was a thrilling conclusion to the feature Bulmers Original Handicap Hurdle of €23,000, with just over a length separating the first four home, with Sean Browne’s Oh So Charming (5/1) coming out on top.
Given a patient ride by Paddy O’Brien, the 109-rated bay was ridden in a share of second on the run to the penultimate flight.
Carried left on the run-in by My Gaffer, he battled on gamely and was a short-head in front of that rival on crossing the line, with Popova and Colleen Danu just three-quarters of a length and a neck away in third and fourth respectively.
“Sean bought this lad for a grand in Newmarket. He had wind surgery since and it improved him a lot,” winning trainer Declan Queally commented.
“He is a grand horse, he’ll win away and has improved mentally, as he has settled down. Sean has been patient, so I’m delighted for him.”
After an enquiry, the result remained unaltered, but Liam McKenna, who was aboard the runner-up, picked up a two-day ban for careless riding.
Better luck
McKenna was earlier on the mark courtesy of the well-backed Smallcraftwarning in the Bulmers Zero Handicap Hurdle. Briefly available at 16s in early shows for this 16-runner heat, the 91-rated eight-year-old was eventually returned favourite at 7/2.
On his third start for John Ryan and the We Win Farming Syndicate, the bay victor made progress approaching the straight, but was soon short of room.
Getting the desired gap before two out, he was pushed along to lead shortly after that flight and went clear when ridden on the run-in, coming home three lengths in front of Granpa Ger. “He’s not going to go to Cheltenham or anything, but he’ll improve away and will find his level,” Ryan remarked.
JUST days after the passing of Full Of Hope Syndicate member John O’Shea, Tassarolo was a poignant winner of the opening Bulmers Light Maiden Hurdle. Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time in this extended two-mile heat, the Godolphin cast-off was returned favourite at 3/1.
Settled behind the leaders by Gavin Brouder, the Denis Hogan-trained bay improved to the front on the long downhill run before the straight.
Pressed by Bhean Shaibhre on the run to two out, the successful son of Farhh was soon ridden and ultimately kept on best away from the last, coming home two and three-quarter lengths to the good.
“Unfortunately, John passed away the other day and is being buried tomorrow, but his sister and family were adamant to run the horse,” Hogan explained.
“John hadn’t been well and, while it was just a pity we couldn’t have done this sooner, he might have got us over the line today.”
Buzzing
Also returned the 3/1 favourite, Gimme A Buzz claimed the Clonmel Show Sunday 6th July Handicap Hurdle, providing Tuam native Paul Kavanagh with a first win in Ireland.
Successful at Tipperary last month, the Enda Bolger-trained five-year-old tracked the leaders early on, improving to the front with a circuit to go. The J.P. McManus home-bred kept finding for pressure and repelled the effort of Ballycashin by a neck.
“Paul is a good hard worker, he is with us a year and deserved to get a winner,” Bolger reflected. “It was a hotter race than he won the last day, but he is a good jumper and is well-bred. Hopefully he has a nice future over fences.”
REGISTERING a first win in well over two years, HMS Seahorse justified strong market support under Carl Millar in the Bulmers Original Hurdle.
In first-time blinkers, the Paul Nolan-trained seven-year-old touched 9/2 in early shows for this near two-and-a-half-mile heat, but was eventually returned the 7/4 favourite.
Improving into a definite second before three out, the Galileo chesnut got to the front early in the straight and soon skipped clear, coming home seven and a half lengths to the good in the colours of the Buckley and Coffey families.
“It’s nice to get him back as he had been in the doldrums for a while, although in the last couple of weeks he had been showing that bit of a spark at home,” Nolan divulged. “He always had a laid-back style and I decided to put the blinkers on, which definitely helped his jumping.”
Made all
On what was a good evening for favourite-backers, Trasna Na Pairce (4/6) easily accounted for three rivals in the Botanica International Novice Hurdle. Following up on a recent course win, the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old made all under Mike O’Connor.
Jumping well throughout, the Walk In The Park bay went on approaching the straight and sauntered to a seven-length win in the colours of the Off Ramp Syndicate.
“His jumping was so good and he was so quick,” O’Connor reported. “He’s a gorgeous big horse, all he does is jump and so he could be lovely over fences.”
Drifter
Another Walk In The Park gelding claimed the concluding Slan Abhaile (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race, with the Gordon Elliott-trained Stede Bonnet defying a market drift.
The €75,000 Goffs Arkle Sale purchase was as short as 5/4 in early shows, but proved friendless with punters and was returned at 4/1. Improving to the front on the approach to the straight, the Agardsley Investments Limited-owned bay soon had all his rivals off the bridle.
Ridden from the furlong pole, he came home six and a half lengths to the good under Harry Swan, with 5/6 favourite Forty Kay a well-beaten fourth.
“He was a lot less green today and put his head down. He had a little look at Kilbeggan, but travelled and quickened well today. He should keep improving,” Swan disclosed.