THERE was a disappointing turn out for the Listed Bottlegreen Hurdle, with two non-runners leaving a final field of three for the €50,000 contest, which offered prize money back to sixth. Top-class novice hurdler The Yellow Clay was lauded as one of the highlights of Down Royal’s two-day meeting, but was declared a non-runner due to a skin allergy.
Gordon Elliott, Bective Stud and Jack Kennedy remained at the head of the market with Casheldale Lad (1/4 favourite), coming off the back of a valuable listed win at Listowel a month prior. Kennedy kept it simple on the hooded five-year-old, leading from flag fall and quickened approaching the second last.
After jumping left over the final two flights, he kept on well to score by seven lengths from Royal Hollow. Eye Of The Tiger was beaten 23 lengths, but John Ryan’s mare came away with blacktype and third prize of €5,000.
“Jack said he has actually gone so laid-back from a horse that was very keen,” Elliott told the press.
“He said he won with plenty in hand and was actually idling in front. He enjoyed himself, but he wasn’t doing a whole lot in front - he was very idle.”
Elliott added that options remain open for the winner, having previously mentioned the Greatwood Hurdle as a potential target. Paddy Power shortened his odds from 14/1 to 12/1 for the Cheltenham prize.
Commentator Richard Pugh was kept up to his work in the second race, the Lough Construction Ltd. Handicap Hurdle, as four raced in contention from the final flight. On this occasion, fortune fell in favour of a Gordon Elliott-trained grey, as James Smith rode out Creadan Grace (12/1) to win by a short head, with another short head back to the third.
“I’d say three miles definitely suited, she’s very tough and stayed galloping,” Elliott said of the James Power-owned mare.
“James is a good rider and is strong there off 10-10, so I’m delighted for him. He is riding out more in the winter there, so we will try and give him a chance if we can.”
Reflecting on his bad luck in the first race, Elliott added: “We knew we had the horses in good form coming up here. That’s horse racing; you have to jump to win. Some days it works for us, some days it doesn’t. Once both horses and jockeys are okay, that is all that matters.”
Treble up
There was little chance of drama in the BetVictor Beginners Chase, with the final three fences omitted due to low-lying sun.
We may not have learnt much from Romeo Coolio (4/6 favourite) on his chase debut, but the Grade 1-winning novice hurdler couldn’t have won the two-and-a-half-mile chase any easier.
Jack Kennedy partnered the KTDA Racing-owned gelding to win by 14 lengths from Henry de Bromhead’s smart novice hurdler Koktail Divin, with another 15 lengths back to the third.
“It couldn’t have been more straightforward,” Elliott said. “Jack said he’s one of those horses that you would love to have the last three fences in; he was that good.
“I imagine we will probably head for the Drinmore (in Fairyhouse) now. We’ll enjoy today, talk to the lads and see what they want to do.”
Fantastic four
Skerry Hill was sent off 4/7 favourite of four runners in the WTW Willis INH Flat Race to complete a four-timer for Cullentra, but victory looked in doubt as Tom Hogan’s 12/1 shot Hopeful Hero loomed with a challenge under Alan O’Sullivan.
Elliott’s hope responded well under pressure, running on to score by three and a quarter lengths under Harry Swan. The Order Of St George four-year-old came with a reputation, having cost £205,000 after impressing on his sole start for Cormac Abernathy and made his rules debut in the colours of Ronnie Bartlett.
On his fourth winner of the day, Elliott commented: “He’s a baby, very green, but he’s a lovely horse and we like him.
“You probably won’t see much more of him this year. He’s a big chaser and that’s the type of horse that Ronnie (Bartlett) buys.”
FULL Of Life (9/1) proved game in the the Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle, completing a double on the card for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.
Impressive in her sole point-to-point for John Byrne last March, the Roger Kissane-owned six-year-old showed improved form since returning in August, when she won a maiden hurdle and went close in a beginners chase last time.
Evens favourite Carrigmoornaspruce kept close to her tail on Friday and increased pressure from two out, when Korinthia also challenged. Pushed along on the turn for home, Full Of Life always appeared to have the upper hand and was ridden out to deny Declan Queally’s market leader by a length and a quarter.
“We went chasing with her and we were just getting everything wrong with her,” de Bromhead said. “We decided to drop her back over two miles and she ran really well the last day, but over fences.
“We just said we would keep her novice tag for next year because we found she is probably more a two miler; her brother is a two miler. Then Roger (Kissane, owner) suggested entering her in this and fair play to him for suggesting it.”
Happy days
The day got off to a dramatic start in the opener as likely winner Theflyingking (1/3 favourite) overreached and fell at the last, bringing down stablemate Kazansky. Some Song (7/1), who had weakened approaching the second last, was left to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle by 18 lengths under Darragh O’Keeffe.
“We were fortunate winners, obviously, but he’s a nice horse,” de Bromhead remarked. “Darragh said he just got a bit tired after he jumped the third last and they just quickened away from him.
“Delighted for [owner] Mike Roden, his first winner, and he is one of the owners of the racecourse. We said we would come up and give him a run, and didn’t think we would be winning, but there you go - happy days, we are delighted!”
Sam Ewing received a one-day ban for remounting Kazansky following his final-flight fall.
Change of fortune
Splashing Out (14/1) proved a willing partner for Tiernan Power Roche in the SIS, Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Chase, with Eoin Griffin’s mare getting up to beat Sayitfirst by a short head, with another half a length back to the third.
J.P. and Noreen McManus’ home-bred made smooth headway to challenge three out and jumped the last upsides, digging deep to lead on the line.
Eoin Griffin later expressed relief at the recent rain, saying: “To be honest coming up the road there, we weren’t sure that we were going to be running.
“It is great to start off the season with a win. We had a frustrating time with her last season, she was a bit in and out.
“She can be a little bit tricky and she has come out the wrong side in photo finishes before, so she is not winning out of turn.”