WILLIE Mullins registered a treble in the closing three races at Cork on Easter Sunday. Mister Policeman initiated the three-timer when landing the featured Grade 3 Michael O’Sullivan Chase under J.J. Slevin.
Market leader and stablemate Asterion Forlonge led the way before unseating Sean O’Keeffe two out, leaving the Mrs Rich Ricci-owned gelding behind Fil Dor, who he eventually beat by seven lengths.
Slevin reported: “It is nice to win a race named in memory of Michael O’Sullivan and Janna (Walsh), who led him up, is Michael’s cousin. This horse was his also Michael’s first winner for Willie.”
He added: “Willie said to ride him for speed as he thought he was a quick horse so I had one go at them and he just came alive. It was only a matter of getting over the last fence and he was very impressive. The minute I got my leg into him, it was all over.
“He obviously won his first few races quite well but was pulled up in a Galway Plate, and another time, but might be back on track now. He isn’t slow and I ‘d say wouldn’t mind coming back in trip either.”
West makes all
Jody McGarvey made all on 8/11 favourite Mirazur West to bring up a quick double in the following Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
The pair kept on well when ridden after the last to beat Harsh and Danny Gilligan by a length and three-quarters.
McGarvey later reported of the J.P. McManus-owned winner: “It was a while coming with him but they found a good opportunity and it looked a very winnable race.
“He travelled, jumped and got it done in the end. Maybe he isn’t the quickest horse in the world but he stuck his head out well. He had a bit more class than the rest of them and I’d imagine his future might lie over further (distances).”
Doctor Du Mesnil made a winning debut in the concluding Finbarr Quaid Electrical (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race to complete the treble. Sent off 11/8 favourite, the Over The Sticks Syndicate-owned geling sat in the middle of the pack before making smooth headway on the outside turning for home.
With none of the opposition managing to lay down a challenge, the race was quickly put to bed with 11 lengths the winning margin.
Jockey Jody Townend said: “He’s going to be a good horse. He’s so relaxed, you can ride him anyway you want and he’s a different horse on grass compared to even at home. He picked up in two strides and I knew I had them covered. If he can get off the ground at all over a jump, I’d say he will be a very good horse.”
KRAK brought up a double for J.J. Slevin when winning the Bar One Racing Easter Handicap Hurdle. Trained by Stuart Crawford, the 9/1 chance switched left before the second last and got a clear run up the middle of the track to chase down the leader. Despite being slow away from the last, the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding went in to beat a fast-finishing Zoffanien by two lengths.
Slevin said: “It was a nice pot to win and while he had some nice runs in maidens, it’s not easy to win first time in a handicap as you need to be street-wise. Who knows where he’ll end up but hopefully he will keep climbing the ranks.”
Danny’s double
Rider Danny Gilligan also partnered a double on the afternoon. Eternal Echo got the ball rolling when landing the opening Dermot Casey Tree Care Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off 6/4, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was travelling strongly when making a mistake two hurdles out, but quickly made amends when skipping away from the last to leave Dark Oak four and a half lengths in arrears, in the colours of Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd.
Assistant trainer Ian Amond reported: “He was a bit novicey jumping but got the hang of it. He is a nice horse and I imagine he’ll be kept on the go, as he could run and win on the flat as well. He won well, is a grand horse and better ground would suit him. He’ll probably be kept on the go for the summer tracks.”
Completed it
Gilligan completed his brace aboard the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Nelson County in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow Handicap Hurdle. Sent off 4/1 joint-favourite, the Cooper and Kearney-owned gelding beat fellow market leader Cullig by a length after a battling it out over the final two flights. O’Sullivan commented: “The last day he ran here, we thought he’d be there or thereabouts but the ground was on the dry side for him. Every drop of rain helped today although he would probably wants it softer.
“His pedigree, which has Our Duke in it, says ‘three-mile chaser’ and that’s probably what he’ll do next year. He stays and jumps. Billy Cooper, from Rathangan, and Liam Kearney from Naas are the two main owners and there’s a bunch of other lads involved as well.”
Smooth Tom on course for Champion Hurdle supplement
SMOOTH Tom won the Bar One Racing Hurdle for Andy Slattery and Cian Quirke. The well backed 100/30 chance ran keen and led after the fourth hurdle. The pair were clear approaching the last and the Mrs Margaret O’Rourke-owned gelding readily accounted for runner up Jigoro by five and a half lengths.
Slattery said: “He was placed in two Lincolns and why that race suits, is that he goes on any ground but wouldn’t have any chance over a mile on good. Padraig (O’Rourke, owner) is from the Punchestown area so we could also supplement him for the Champion Hurdle.
“We’ll see what happens but if there’s only five runners, why not. I was thinking of the Galway Hurdle for him last year but I have his sister Royal Hollow for that. That’s her aim but we could run both: they are grand horses to have.”
Leading ladies
The Paul Nolan-trained Colonia Victoria justified 7/4 favouritism in the O’Flynn Motors Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle. Sean O’Keeffe was on board kept her up to her work when leading from three hurdles out.
The Anne Coffey and Susan Spence-owned mare went clear after the last with Nytol chasing home the three-and-a-quarter-length winner.
Nolan reported: “She had a nice run first-time out over hurdles in Leopardstown and I’d say a step up in trip will suit her. There was no great pace on and I thought we would get done for speed but she jumped great in the home straight and that sealed it. I thought the ground would be softer and I’d say it’s not next-to or near ‘winter soft’. We have no real plans made but we’ll see what mark she gets.”