THE visit of Harry Cobden to Cork on Easter Sunday garnered plenty of attention and he belatedly rode his first winner in Ireland aboard Funiculi Funicula (8/11 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase over two miles, one furlong.
After earlier reverses, including on three odds-on shots, this was the last of six rides on the card that the 2023/24 British champion jockey had for Willie Mullins and the Storm The Stars gelding, owned by Michael O’Riordan and Michael Hennessy, got the better of a protracted duel with Wingmen by three-quarters of a length.
“It has been a long day and I’ve had plenty of stick in the weighroom, so it’s nice to get on the board!” said a relieved Cobden.
Looking ahead to his new role as number one rider for owner J.P. McManus in Britain and Ireland from next season, he added: “I’m very excited and looking forward to hopefully riding a few nice ones. He has obviously got a tremendous bunch of horses, but at the same time, I’ll have lots of horses to ride in England.”
O’Dwyer off the mark for Mullins
In the colours of Mrs Susannah Ricci, Charlie O’Dwyer partnered Saint Lucie (11/2) to land the Bar 1 Betting Handicap Hurdle over two miles, three furlongs, giving trainer Willie Mullins a double on the card.
The daughter of Great Pretender, a creditable seventh under O’Dwyer in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, was produced to lead at the last and posted a three-and-a-quarter length victory over Rockymountainbleu.
This was O’Dwyer’s first winner for the champion trainer and he reported: “Mr Mullins and Mr Ricci have been good to me and I’ve ridden this mare three times now. I was hopeful coming here, as she ran a brilliant race in Cheltenham when we didn’t get the cleanest of runs.”
Career highlight
Owner/trainer Liam Hackett attributed an equine taxi-run and B&B stay as the reasons behind his career highlight as Nowwhatdoyouthink (4/5 favourite) landed the Grade 3 Bar 1 Betting Chase in the hands of Liam Quinlan.
In the three-runner race over an extended three miles, the progressive Mount Nelson gelding easily defeated Broomfield Bijou by six and a half lengths.
Toomevara-based Hackett said: “I ended up getting Nowwhatdoyouthink by default, as I was doing a taxi-run one day with horses and this horse was due to stay in my place for a few nights of B&B, but ended up staying!
“Following his point-to-points, he was initially sold by Sam Curling and had joined another yard, but was then a bit of a wanderer who found it hard to find a home.
“Liam knows this horse inside out and is an unbelievable horseman. He is just gifted and I’m very lucky to have a lad of his ability with me.”
LAST year’s Galway Hurdle winner Ndaawi (6/4) resumed winning ways in the Bar 1 Betting Hurdle over two miles, scoring for owners Easyfix, trainer Gordon Elliott and 5lb-claimer Josh Williamson.
Successful in last July’s Galway showpiece race after being promoted in the stewards’ room, Ndaawi beat market rival Absurde by three and a quarter lengths.
Elliott’s assistant Ian ‘Busty’ Amond reported: “Josh gave him a good ride and kicked at the right time. I’d imagine he’ll go back for the Galway Hurdle again and he’ll also run on the flat during the summer. There should be a good day with him on the flat.
“The Earls family have always had a horse with Gordon, so it is nice to get another winner for them.”
Too strong
Martin Brassil’s Bartholomew (11/4) proved far too strong for odds-on favourite Mino Des Mottes in the Dermot Casey Tree Care Maiden Hurdle over two miles. Ricky Doyle’s mount led early in the straight and went clear to win by 10 lengths in the colours of the Old Pals Partnership.
“We were waiting for nice ground. We’ll enter him for the (Grade 1) four-year-old hurdle at Punchestown,” said Brassil.
Tountinna (5/1) was a second winner under rules for Nenagh-based trainer Maike Magnussen, as she landed the O’Flynn Motors Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle over two miles, three furlongs.
The daughter of Order Of St George, bred and owned by Seamus McKeogh, led two out to beat Poetic Twist by a length and three-quarters.
“I loved this mare from day one, but she is just a bit quirky,” said German native Magnussen. “I’m delighted Seamus has her with me, so hopefully he doesn’t sell now!”
TOP weight Onlymammycanloveme (15/2) landed the Hibernian Hotel Mallow Handicap Hurdle over three miles.
Successful over two and a half miles at this venue on his previous outing, the Vendangeur chesnut came from off the pace under Tiernan Power Roche to score by three and a quarter lengths from West Is Awake.
Winning owner/trainer Seamus Neville commented: “The plan was to come late, although maybe not quite as late, but he got there.
“We thought all along that he was more of a chaser, but we had jumping problems this year. It was then too late to go novice chasing, so he’ll do that next season instead, and I’m hoping he will make a nice staying chaser.”
Super season
Trainer Jonathan Sweeney’s fine season continued when newcomer Barnahash Prince (8/1) took the concluding Ampion Ltd. Electrical And Testing (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The six-year-old by Yeats led approaching the straight and kept on under hands and heels to score by a length and a quarter from Airds Moss. It was a winner on his first ride under rules for Mark O’Flynn, who has ridden two point-to-point winners.
Carrying the silks of breeder Katheleen O’Connor, O’Flynn stated: “Nobody put pressure on me and Jon (Sweeney) told me to just enjoy myself. This is my local track, I’m from half an hour away in Glenville and this is unbelievable - money couldn’t buy this!”