PAUL Townend gave Grangeclare West (7/2) a well-judged and patient steer to give Willie Mullins yet another victory in the featured BAR 1 Betting Bobbyjo Chase.
Having raced towards the rear, last year’s Grand National third began to pick off rivals up the home straight. Last to come off the bridle, Townend’s mount had moved into second when getting the last wrong but only required a hand ride to get past Gerri Colombe on the run-in.
Five and a half lengths was the margin of victory for Cheveley Park Stud’s 10-year-old, who made it 10 wins in the last 11 renewals of the Grade 3 for Mullins.
“He can get you out of trouble! He got away with it anyway,” said Townend of the error at the last.
“He enjoyed himself and got into a nice rhythm. I thought they went very hard and I was just in my comfort zone everywhere, popping away.
“He’s a class animal. The ground was my concern, but it’s loose and he handled it as well as any of them.”
New charge
Mullins doubled up in the bumper when 4/9 favourite Look Me took the www.justlite.com Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The Jeu St Eloi gelding had been second at last year’s Fairyhouse Easter meeting when in the care of Stuart Crawford and was ridden by Patrick Mullins on stable and seasonal debut.
The five-year-old tracked front-runner Detroit Maverick and was pushed along to assert over a furlong from home, before going on to score by five lengths in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Assistant trainer David Casey commented: “We were slightly concerned about the ground being so heavy, but he did it well in the end and hopefully he’ll progress from this.”
THE Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle went the way of Eagle’s Quest, who made all under Danny Mullins for mother Mags, who also owns the winner in partnership with son Anthony and her uncle, Jackie Cullen.
The 2/1 favourite was pursued down to the final flight by keen-going hurdling debutant Simply Natural and outjumped that rival there before being ridden out to score by a length and a quarter.
“He’s qualified for the final now in Punchestown,” the trainer said. “It’s Jackie’s first horse and he has said to me that he has something to get up for every day. It’s just a great result.”
Clear cut
The six runners finished well strung out in the next race, the Declan And Maria Coombes Memorial Handicap Hurdle, with 6/5 favourite Mode Avion recording a facile victory under Josh Williamson.
The son of Taj Mahal moved to the front before two out and went clear to win by an eased-down 12 lengths, providing Williamson with his second success since turning conditional last month
“It didn’t look the strongest race in the world and it was a good opportunity,” said Gordon Elliott, who trains the winner for Gigginstown House Stud.
“We might go chasing with him sooner rather than later and use his four-year-old allowances over fences, he jumps great.”
Ground is key
One Horse Army (14/1) enjoyed the return to fences when landing the three-mile handicap chase under Peter Smithers.
Owned and trained by Padraig Roche, the Mahler gelding had been unplaced in three runs over hurdles this term, but outstayed long-time leader Duce Bigalow to score by a length and a half.
“That’s his game, heavy ground like that, and jumping fences makes a big difference to him,” said Smithers. “He travels a lot better over fences and jumps better.”
ONE Big Boum (11/2) came home alone to win the BAR 1 Betting Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle by a whopping 24 lengths.
Up in grade having won at Navan on his previous start, Niall Moore’s mount went on after four out and coasted home in the colours of the Grey Stays Syndicate.
“It’s a great race to win, because Tommy Carberry was my hero when I was a young fella growing up,” said trainer Philip Fenton.
“He’s an improving horse and blinkers have certainly made a difference to him. There is no such thing as an easy race on very heavy ground, so we’ll take our time with him as he likes to be fresh.”
Quick return
The rated novice chase over three miles and two furlongs was won by the Henry de Bromhead-trained Rokathir (4/1), who raced in front rank throughout under Darragh O’Keeffe.
A fine round of jumping proved the deciding factor as the Roger Brookhouse-owned seven-year-old denied persistent rival Maxi Mac Gold by a length.
Stable representative Robbie Power commented: “He got a big hike for his win at Navan, and we had to take a chance coming back so quick, because there was nothing else coming up for him.
“He loves testing ground and his jumping is a huge asset.”
Back-to-back
A maiden winner at Thurles on his previous outing, Blow Wind Blow defied a market drift to follow up in the Easter Festival 4th-6th April Handicap Hurdle at 12/1.
The grey son of Gleneagles made steady headway from mid-division and led early on the run-in to win by a length and three-quarters.
“He loves that soft ground,” said Enda Bolger who trains J.P. McManus’ home-bred. “I can’t wait for him to go over fences next season, he’s still only five.”