THE Willie Mullins-trained Easter Bonnet (SP 6/1) caused a shake-up in the first race at Cork, the Mourneabbey Oil Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, and kicked off a treble for the yard.
The 4/6 favourite Emerald Enigma could only manage third, and the betting indicated that the winner was the supposed third string from the Mullins team. However, she was anything but that as she showed her rivals a clean pair of heels to win by eight and a half lengths for the Temple Bloodstock Shadows Syndicate.
Winning jockey Brian Hayes said: “She disappointed here the last day, so we said we’d let her roll today, as she is such a good jumper. She got into a good rhythm in front and she had ear plugs in today as well, which helped.
“From a long way out I was happy, and she winged the three hurdles in the home straight. I think she likes nice ground and goes well on it.”
Livio lights it up
Bringing up the middle leg of the treble, Livio put a blip at Punchestown behind him to convincingly land the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle for jockey Sean Cleary Farrell. Sent off the even-money favourite, the son of Cokoriko, owned by the Why Knot Partnership, put in a solid display of jumping and found plenty under pressure up the straight.
“The two false starts wound Livio up and he became hot but I was happy to let him roll away in the race and he was very good,” said Cleary Farrell.
“He is well able to jump and he ran home very well in the end. I was looking back at his French form and he ran very well over hurdles the first day in Killarney and is back now, having disappointed the last day. He idled under me and there was plenty left, so there is more improvement in him.”
Stylish display
Green Style (10/11 favourite) was a noteworthy winner of the Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle on Saturday, August 29 INH Flat Race with a dazzling nine-length success under Patrick Mullins to cap his father’s treble. The winning rider elected to allow his mount, who got slightly revved up before the race, to lead from pillar to post.
“He had a setback last winter and, being a very good-moving horse, we decided to keep him in,” the rider said of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned winner.
“We got him from the Crawfords and any of the ones we’ve got from them have been very professional.
“What he did there is better than what he does at home, and when he steps up in trip, I think he’ll be better again, and on soft.”
THE Helen Markham-trained Chesterbaylad (6/1) was an easy winner of the Follow Us On Instagram Handicap Hurdle under a patient Josh Williamson ride to win by three and three quarter lengths. There looked to be only one winner at the second last, and two good leaps provided Williamson with his 11th winner of the season.
Markham said: “He has been knocking on the door but Brian [Heaslip, owner] has been great and been very patient. Brian is based in Grangecon and I’m absolutely delighted for him, as it’s his first winner.
“I kept telling Brian to hold on with this horse and he is over the moon. If every owner was like him, it would be a dream! He is a nice little horse and you just have to give him time between his races. Josh had ridden just once for me before now and he is a great young fella.”
Back-to-back wins
The Pat Foley-trained Gino Bella (100/30 joint-favourite) was an impressive winner of the John O’Flynn’s Motors 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle under jockey Alan O’Sullivan for owner Rose Byrne.
Having made all on her last start at Cork, the daughter of It’s Gino did the same again and kept the Andrew McNamara-trained Metamorpheus at bay to score by one and three quarter lengths.
Foley said: “She had been consistent in the 0-100 grade although it took her a while to win one. While you would think you’re well-handicapped, then you bump into one like Timurshah who wins four in a row, so there always seemed to be one better. At least today she had a nicer weight. Alan almost has a ‘free’ 5lb claim and she jumped, travelled and did everything right.”
THE Andrew Slattery-trained O’Grady Cracker (6/4 favourite) was a super impressive winner of the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle for jockey J.J. Slevin.
The son of Way To Paris was prominent throughout the contest and was much too good for his rivals, recording a cosy eight-length success. Two brilliant jumps at the final couple of hurdles sealed the deal.
Owner Kay Russell said: “Edward (O’Grady owned the mare and had this horse’s family forever and a day.
“Every single horse Miss Nomer has bred never let us down and won, and Edward always left the choices of stallions to me. The Stacks [of Coolagown Stud] will be delighted with this, and I think this horse could be the best of the mare’s runners.”
Mina does the business
The Terence O’Brien-trained Ina Mina was an all-the-way winner of the Cork Instagram Handicap Hurdle for jockey John Shinnick. The daughter of Ulysses was allowed her own way out in front and she made no mistake, scoring by three lengths for the TerenceOBrien Racing Syndicate.
O’Brien said of the 11/2 winner: “Judging by her flat mark [of 73], she had a great chance as her maiden runs were on heavy ground last winter, and in fairness the handicapper gave her a chance.
“She hadn’t been working particularly well at home so I was nervous enough, as she had been tipped up by some tipsters. If she’d been in good form, I’d have tipped her myself although I haven’t had a winner for two months, so you lose confidence.”