Bar 1 Betting Hatton’s Grace (Grade 1)

TEAHUPOO joined an illustrious band of three-time winners of the Bar 1 Betting Hatton’s Grace Hurdle when clinging on to secure victory in a pulsating finish at Fairyhouse last Sunday.

On a day when trainer Gordon Elliott saddled a fabulous four-timer, the admirable stayer emerged on top in the featured Grade 1 contest after flashing past the post locked together with Ballyburn, getting the verdict by a nose, with 40 lengths back to the only other finisher in Maxxum.

The race set up nicely for Teahupoo with stablemate Casheldale Lad setting even fractions in front, in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Teahupoo had narrowly got the measure of the leader when that rival fell at the last and it was Ballyburn who then proved the danger.

Willie Mullins’ charge rattled home in the closing stages but just failed by a nose at the line to peg back the Robcour-owned Teahupoo.

“Jordan did a wonderful job in front (on Casheldale Lad), he got the fractions just right. Jack said he couldn’t have gone another gear faster,” said Elliott.

“We knew we were rolling the dice coming back to two and a half miles but it just looked like the perfect starting point for him.

“He’s not a two-and-a-half-miler, he’s a three-mile horse – he’s slow and he’s not getting any younger. He’s a warrior of a horse and we’re so lucky to have him.”

When asked if he would head straight to Cheltenham now he added: “Probably but that’s not concrete. You mind a horse for a race all year and then get a stone bruise, anything can happen.

“We’re not saying he’s going to run again but we’re not ruling it out either. Leopardstown would have to come up very soft for him to run at it. We’ll see.”

Bar 1 Betting Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1)

THE feature event produced the finish of the day but the most impressive performance came from Romeo Coolio in the preceding Bar 1 Betting Drinmore Novice Chase.

Jack Kennedy oozed confidence on the 8/15 shot as he went on over the second last.

The Kayf Tara gelding soon had matters in hand and didn’t need to come off the bridle to record an eight-length win over Gold Dancer in the two-and-a-half-mile contest for KTDA Racing.

“That was brilliant, he was good. We always knew chasing was going to be his game and we’re absolutely thrilled,” said Elliott.

“Obviously with Cheltenham you have two or three (miles). We could also come back here at Easter or go to Aintree, there are loads of options.

“The one thing Jack did say is that he wouldn’t be afraid to bring him back to two off a real fast pace, the way he jumps.”

When asked if Leopardstown was a possibility over Christmas he added: “Everywhere is open now, we could even end up in Kempton.

“I’ll never forget when the two Daves (Page and Rabson) came to me at the start, the one thing they said was that they’d love to have a horse for the Champion Chase. Whether he’s quick enough for that, I don’t know, but we’ll dream in every direction and see what happens.”

KOKTAIL Brut looks set to step into Grade 1 company on his next start after a game effort to land the Bar 1 Betting Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Kennedy made the running on the 8/13 favourite and the Gigginstown House gelding found plenty when tackled by Blake after the second last, prevailing late on by a head.

“That was great. He probably did everything wrong, Jack said he was keen enough in front,” said Elliott.

“We weren’t sure if there was going to be pace in the race so we said we’d just keep it simple and go on.

“He was very gutsy to come back. I’d say looking at that he probably wants a bit further. He could be one to maybe keep and go to Naas (for the Grade 1 Slaney Novice Hurdle) with.”

Convincing winner

Elliott and Kennedy had kicked off their four timers’ when Mange Tout had run out a convincing winner of the Grade 2 Bar 1 Betting Juvenile Hurdle.

The Robcour-owned filly led after the second last in the two-miler and pulled away on the run-in to beat Narciso Has by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

“She did everything wrong the last day so we said we’d drop her in, get her settled today, and see how we go. It was a good performance and I’m absolutely delighted,” said Elliott.

“She put lengths between them very quickly from the last to the line. I’d imagine she’ll go to Leopardstown now.”

Rest of the card

BETTER Times Ahead was delivered with a well-timed charge by Mark Walsh to land the Bar 1 Betting Porterstown Handicap Chase.

Robert Tyner’s charge got up late on to pip Will Do in the marathon three miles and six-furlong contest and record a neck success.

The J.P McManus-owned gelding had also won over timber at the venue earlier in the month and Tyner said: “Jumping the last I was confident but the other horse must have been idle because when he got to him, he picked up again.

“It was close when they got the line. It was great to get a pot like that with him because he’s been a bit fragile.”

When asked if he could be aimed at the Irish National, he added: “It would be nice to think he could run in it. He’s after winning here twice now so he seems to handle the course anyway.”

Local win

In the other handicap chase on the card local girl Caragh Monaghan had a day to remember when partnering her first winner over fences aboard Vaureal in the ladies’ event.

The Ian Donoghue-trained 7/2 favourite came with a strong run to lead on the run-in and secure a two-and-three-quarter length win over front-runner Casey West.

Monaghan said: “We had the cheekpieces on him today and he was keen for the first half-mile but up at Ballyhack he spat it out and I was grand. He was travelling happily everywhere.

“He winged the last and galloped through the line.

“It’s a great day to ride a winner, especially at Fairyhouse as it’s only over the road for me. I’m a Meath girl as well so it’s a great day.”

Mullins strikes

Having missed out in agonising fashion in the feature with Ballyburn, Willie Mullins got some compensation in the following Bar 1 Casino Handicap Hurdle with Zillow. The 7/2 joint-favourite was left in front at the last by the fall of Ataboycharlie and went on to post a convincing four-and-a-quarter-length success under Paul Townend. It was another nice success for the H O S Syndicate, who also own Breeders’ Cup hero Ethical Diamond.

Mullins said: “From Del Mar down to Melbourne (with Absurde) and back up to Fairyhouse, it’s fantastic.

“A lot of the grandchildren are here today and it’s a tremendous win. It’s what racing is about, the social side of racing and all the family are here.”

Happy Rebel

Another happy owner was Paddy Hogan after Young Rebel made a winning start in the concluding Bar 1 Casino INH Flat Race.

The Crystal Ocean gelding went to post a 12/1 shot on his racecourse bow and flew home under Anna McGuinness to collar Moonverrin and record a length success.

Trainer Mags Mullins owns the winner in partnership with Hogan and she said: “That was lovely. He worked here about three weeks ago and worked lovely.

“He’s a big galloping horse, we love him at home and Crystal Ocean is a good sire. The other man that is in on him, Paddy Hogan, has gone on holiday. He said ‘I won’t even know if he wins because I’ll be on the plane’.

“I said I’d text him Happy Christmas if he wins so he’ll be delighted. He’s a great owner, he had Springwell Bay with me. He’ll be delighted so I better do my Happy Christmas thing with him now!”