THERE were doubles for John Ryan and Willie Mullins at Kilbeggan’s final fixture of the year and Minella Cyclone (8/1) looks a nice prospect for the former after landing the WTW Willis Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
Having run well in a point-to-point for John Nallen, the imposing Harzand gelding, owned by the We Win Farming Syndicate, which is run by Aidan O’Sullivan and Jack Broderick and includes broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, disappointed in a bumper here in May.
On his first run over flights, he tracked a good pace under J.J. Slevin and led before the last to relegate Astelia to second place for the eighth time in her career, with four and a half lengths between them at the line.
“He’s probably six weeks away from being hard fit and we were giving him a run today, to be honest. He won just through pure class,” said Ryan.
“No screws have been turned on this horse yet. He’s a winter horse really, he’s 17hh-plus. We’ll go to Cheltenham in November with him.”
’He’s a great servant’
Also carrying the colours of the We Win Farming Syndicate, the Daniel King-ridden Smallcraftwarning (18/1) won the Sean Hughes Memorial 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle over three miles, one furlong.
The nine-year-old was one of many in with a chance jumping the last and found most to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Cooladdi.
“He’s a great servant. Just this year wasn’t his year, he had his palate fired and things here and there,” said Ryan.
“That ground is probably just what he can get away with. It’s great to get a double for the syndicate.”
THE Marie Donnelly-owned Fou De Toi (2/1 favourite) completed Willie Mullins’ brace in the Midland Veterinary Beginners Chase over two and half miles. Second on his chase debut at Ballinrobe, the Motivator gelding took over two out to post a comprehensive eight-length success over Los Blanco.
“I think cheekpieces were the main addition to him, they helped him concentrate,” said rider Paul Townend, before adding: “He was going as quick as he could early on, but his jumping kept him in it.”
Six-length romp for Radley
Boo Radley (6/1) had earlier led home a one-two for Mullins in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles, three furlongs.
Stablemate Speed For Fun was odds-on favourite and tried to make all, but a bad mistake three out opened the door for Charlie O’Dwyer’s mount to come out on top by six lengths.
Patrick Mullins, who owns the Masked Marvel gelding in partnership with bookmaker Brian Keenan, explained: “I’m delighted to get a winner with Brian, I was best man at his wedding.
“I told him he’d win a bumper, but we had a reason every time for his first few runs. He’s a very small horse, but he’s a three-parts brother to two decent horses. The pedigree would suggest he’ll go further, that’s what Brian tells me anyway.”
SOLDANTE’S victory in the Kilsaran Handicap Chase over two and half miles gave trainer Ciaran Murphy his sixth course winner of the year and provided Kinnegad rider Kevin Healy with a first success at his local track. Owned by breeder Pat McCormack along with David P. McCormack and Sarah Glynn, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding made headway from three out and led jumping the last to beat Butter Fingers by a length and three-quarters.
The 11/2 chance did hang right and tighten up a couple of rivals on the home turn, for which Healy received a three-day suspension for careless riding.
“Pat had never had a winner here, so we said we’d come here and have one go. It’s been a dream for him. He’ll be a horse that we keep going for the winter, he’s not just a summer horse, and he might be one that could travel.”
Close finish
A dual winner for Gordon Elliott, My Trump Card (20/1) recorded a first win for John McConnell when coming from well off the pace in the Sean Daly Memorial Handicap Hurdle over two miles. The Shantou gelding, owned by the Wise Guys Syndicate, benefited from a strong gallop and swept past Hopeful Hero close home for a half-length victory. “He’s a big galloping horse and things happened quickly for him today. We went hard throughout and things fell into my lap,” said rider Alex Harvey.
“Since John got him he’s done a brilliant job, he’s really sweetened him up and it was a great confidence boost for him there.”
Easy win for Begger
The concluding Clarke’s Electrical Contractors, Castletown Geoghegan Beginners Chase over three miles produced a remarkable outcome with 66/1 outsider Begger coming home alone after his three rivals all hit the deck. Racing in rear under Ben Harvey, the Workforce gelding was left a moderate third when odds-on favourite My Great Mate fell three out and was way behind when the remaining pair, Chanceawetmorning and Moonovercloon, both came down at the last.
“It was very fortuitous. I hate celebrating when other people have had a misfortune, but we’ll take it,” said trainer William Harvey. “We have a great crew involved in the GQ Syndicate. It was put together after a very good friend of mine, Graham Quinn, passed away.”