LOCAL News provided Castlemartyr-based trainer Richard Hennessy with his first success since taking out a licence last year, when recording a 100/1 shock victory on debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Malinas was patiently ridden by Josh Williamson before making headway in the straight and was one of three in the air together at the last before just getting the better of 4/7 favourite Divaboriva by a head. La Cote Fleurie couldn’t find any extra a length and a half back in third.
A surprised Hennessy revealed afterwards: “To be honest, she hasn’t been showing anything - definitely not! She is a companion for another younger horse at home, and everyone rides this mare including my wife Stephanie (owner), my dad and sister. She is a very pleasant mare, but that was very unexpected.”
He added: “I suppose she is a six-year-old getting to the races for the first time, so had that bit of experience from home under her belt. She kept getting small niggly injuries, which kept knocking her out.
Microchip
“Her companion at home (Time For Talking) was actually due to run in Killarney yesterday, but at the course, the IHRB couldn’t find his microchip, so he wasn’t allowed to run. We’ll get that sorted, after today, it looks like he can’t be too bad!
“This mare is for sale, although there aren’t many who like to buy small mares! My father Joseph always had a few winners. We are dairy farmers and keep a few horses as a hobby.”
Paddy Twomey, who continued a great run of form with a stakes race double on the same afternoon at Leopardstown, broke new ground by sending out his first winner over jumps as Timothy Ryan’s Arouet justified strong support in the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Maiden Hurdle.
Available at 4/1 overnight and supported on track from 10/11 into 4/6, the Galiway gelding overcame a slight mistake at the last to beat the front-running Karlynn by two and a quarter lengths in the hands of Daniel King.
Twomey was represented by the winning rider’s brother Connor, who said: “He improved from his experience the last day and I’d say running both over hurdles and on the flat is the plan for the summer.”
Doctor gets the call in Mullins double
CHAMPION trainer Willie Mullins recorded a short-priced double on the day with Doctor Du Mesnil adding to a bumper win here last year for the Over The Sticks Syndicate in the Springfort Hall Country House Hotel Maiden Hurdle.
The six-year-old was sent off the 2/9 favourite in the absence of likely danger Jeroboam Machin, withdrawn due to the going (officially good, good to yielding in places), and Paul Townend didn’t need to get serious on the run-in as the hot-pot kept on well to beat Doctor Elvis by five lengths.
“He was idle in front, and you won’t see the best of him until he goes over a fence. He might have a short holiday before maybe coming back in the autumn,” said Townend.
Winning debut
Aine completed the Mullins double, when making a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-y-o Fillies INH Flat Race under the trainer’s son Patrick.
The well-bred daughter of The Grey Gatsby, owned by Randox Health supremo Dr Peter FitzGerald, was pushed along to challenge in the final quarter mile and got on top in the closing stages to beat Tell The Boys by two and a quarter lengths.
“She was green and needed the whole length of the straight, but was well on top at the finish. Some of our summer bumper horses are needing the experience more than other years, but she was a great ride and loves the game.
“She has a great pedigree, is related to Annie Power, and rode like a mare who could go out in trip in time,” said Patrick Mullins of the 15/8 favourite.
Roost rules in an easy success
SOMERSBY Roost proved the easiest winner on the day, when readily opening her account in division one of the Farm And Industrial Spares Mallow Handicap Hurdle.
Lady Bluebird made a bold bid from the front in this two miles, three furlongs contest, but was reeled in before the last by Oliver McKiernan’s charge, who cruised clear on the run-in under Phillip Enright to score by a facile seven lengths.
“Her form all year has been solid without getting her head in front. We were hoping today’s drying ground would bring about improvement in her, and she jumped well,” said Enright of the 11/1 winner.
Humble Brag gained compensation for a final flight exit last time at Wexford, when taking division two in the hands of J.J. Slevin.
The Donie Hassett-trained gelding pecked badly on landing two out, but put in a fine leap at the last to settle the issue for a three and a quarter lengths victory over fellow 100/30 joint-favourite Coded Welder.
Hassett’s son and assistant Brian said: “He is still a bit babyish and learning on the job, but Galway is on the radar. His owner Dom Murphy’s father owned Rust Never Sleeps (dual Irish National runner-up) with us in the past and had Irish Lincoln winner That’s Logic too. We had good success and the colours are back again, which is great.”
Moon lands a win
Moon Mission, trained by Philip Rothwell for John O’Connor, opened his account at the 11th attempt in the Sean Murphy Plant Hire Ltd Rated Novice Hurdle, with the 12/1 shot driven out on the run-in by Tiernan Power Roche to beat Le Roi Du Livet by a length and a half.
Annie Button, trained by Peter Flood for the Jolly Boys Syndicate, also gained an initial success in the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap Hurdle, with the 11/2 chance just getting the better of a protracted battle with Only For Our Man from two out by a head.
Winning rider Danny Gilligan was quick to give credit to Jordan Gainford, saying: “Jordan rode her before, but got a nasty fall (fracturing a vertebrae) in Punchestown and he filled me in on how to ride this mare.”