A PACKED crowd at Downpatrick saw Gavin Cromwell land the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase for the third time in the last five years as the eight-year-old Born Braver outstayed his rivals by five lengths.
Keith Donoghue’s mount was well positioned in fourth with a circuit to go and was ridden in third after three out. Despite a slight mistake at the next, he improved to launch his challenge on the run-in and kept on strongly in the final 100 yards for a clear-cut success at 15/2 for Mrs John Duffy.
Donoghue said: “He’s a typical Court Cave - he probably doesn’t want good ground, he just wants a bit of an ease in it.
“Perfect conditions today, the trip suited him. I had a good run around and I knew when I jumped the last and asked him, he would respond.
“It is a good pot up here and it is a great crowd.”
Caragh Monaghan rider of the third-placed I A Connect and Danny Gilligan on unplaced Solly Attwell both picked up two-day suspension for whip offences.
SONNY Carey saddled his first racecourse double and it was Better Times (11/1) who kicked things off in the Kevin Ross Bloodstock 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles and five furlongs.
Michael Kenneally held him up towards the rear of this 10-runner field and the pair made progress from four out. They led after the penultimate flight and outgunned runner-up Miss Lia by two and a quarter lengths for Mrs Sandra McCarthy.
Carey said: “That’s (up in trip and better ground) what he wanted I’d say. It was holding ground in Leopardstown and he doesn’t like it. I’d say he would probably go on better ground again.
“He has just taken a while to learn to settle before the race - he is A1 once he is going, but it was more that he used to run his race before he ran. He is doing everything well now.”
Important connections
Carey’s Cause For Comment was beaten into second by a stablemate in last year’s renewal of the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase, but went one better this time.
Jackie Mullins’ homebred was partnered by Patrick Mullins with the pair close up before disputing the lead five out. They led independently before the third-last fence and although Magic Sadler got on terms approaching the next, Cause For Comment kept on to justify 15/8 favouritism by six lengths.
The trainer said: “I think he’s a better horse this year, he was only five last year taking on the hunter chasers. He has improved a lot.
“The owner and the whole family have been very good to me. I leave where next up to the jockey, he picks. I let him decide, he will have a plan.”
Another Mullins winner
Robertjames proved much too good for his rivals on debut for Willie Mullins in the Tote Every Day’s A Money Back Day Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs.
Paul Townend kept things simple aboard the even-money favourite who made every yard and readily asserted after the last to come in by a widening 16 lengths for owner Dr Peter FitzGerald.
“He was good,” Townend said. “He’s a big staying chaser. He’d wing them (hurdles) and one or two we got in tight too and he just kind of brought them with him. He overcame plenty - it is hard coming here first time, he’s inexperienced at the start and things like that, but I thought he was nice.
“It is great for the owner who sponsors the big race here.”
Molloy’s patience pays off
LITTLEFOOT’S chase debut more than went to plan as he delivered in the Caherty Stables Beginners Chase for Mark Molloy and the Littlefoot Partnership.
The 8/1 shot had plenty of rivals in front of him for the most part but made headway after two out. He kept finding for Daniel King and led on the run-in, going on to score by four and a-quarter lengths.
“He ran in two point-to-points,” Molloy said. “This is a horse we like, he was second in Punchestown (Connolly´s Red Mills EBF Auction Hurdle Final, last year) and he has had a few little niggling injuries along the way which we have been patient with.”
Plenty of options
Lips Freedom (7/2) brought up plenty of bets in the Billie And Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Donagh Meyler sent the prominent racer on over the last and swept in by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths for Tinnahinch Construction Limited.
Andrew Kinirons said: “He was actually seventh in the German Derby (2023) and he had good form. He came to me (rated) 98 and he is probably down to 90 now. He could be competitive in some of those nice handicaps (on the flat).
“He was keen, but I think he was getting his tongue over the bit, so it wasn’t the case that he was nervous.
“He has no wind problems, so I stuck the tongue-tie on him. He’s very relaxed at home.”
Back with a bang
Cozone (7/2) made light of an absence of more than a year to bounce back to form in the Hood McGowan Kirk Handicap Hurdle.
James Smith rode the gelding to take closer order from the third flight and came between horses over the last to hit the front on the run-in. The race was soon over, as the Debbie Kelly-owned nine-year-old galloped away by seven and a half lengths.
Trainer Matthew Smith said: “He had a good break and was in good form lately. He’s hit and miss, but it was grand. We knew he was fit; he ran in a schooling race there recently and went well.”