WILLIE Mullins sent out a short-priced treble at this well-attended Sunday card initiated by the victory of I Am River, who provided Anna McGuinness with her first winner for the champion trainer.
The J.P. McManus-owned 15/8 favourite, absent since pulled up on debut 17 months ago, made virtually all in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle putting in a fine round of jumping and keeping on well from the last to beat In The Trenches by two and a quarter lengths.
“He’s had his problems, but he jumped great and got a lovely ride from Anna who got him into a lovely rhythm,” said Frank Berry representing McManus.
“Anna is based in Willie’s and finished third (on A Penny A Hundred) in the Mayo National and couldn’t have done better. We’ll tip away for the summer with him and see where we go.”
Making all
The Malcolm Denmark-owned Toad Hall was another for the Closutton team in the Racing @Kilbegganraces.com Novice Hurdle. The 30/100 favourite faced just two rivals in this three-mile, one-furlong event and made all under Paul Townend, although he needed to be driven out on the run-in to hold off Cooke’s Lass by a neck.
“He jumps and he gallops and is a big unit for around here, but it was a nice opportunity. If something wanted to go on I was happy to take a lead, but he was happy enough. He pulled out enough (after the last) and will jump a fence in time,” said winning rider Paul Townend.
Nadia’s Boy, a point-to-point winner for Aidan Fitzgerald last year, completed the treble when justifying odds of 8/13 in the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The son of Getaway led approaching the home bend and was driven out by Patrick Mullins to beat Ozark’s Walk by two and a quarter lengths.
“He was a little keen all the way and did well to finish as strong as he did. I think he likes that good ground, and we’ll probably go jumping with him. He should give his owner Mustafa (Elatrash) a lot of fun through the summer,” said the champion amateur rider.
A RETURN here next month for the Midlands National could be on the cards after She’s A Fine Wine dug deep on the run-in to take the featured Guy Clothing & Kode Clothing & Footwear Handicap Chase. Kilashee set a strong pace and soon built up a sizeable lead in this two-and-a-half-mile heat.
That advantage was greatly reduced before two out, but the front-runner wasn’t headed until after the last with the Flemensfirth mare keeping on well in the closing stages under Darragh O’Keeffe to score by a length and three quarters at odds of 4/1.
“Michael (Dempsey, owner) is just after saying to me that Kilbeggan has been a very lucky track for him and he’s had two Midlands National wins here,” said Robbie Power representing winning trainer Henry de Bromhead. “She will keep tipping away for the summer and could step up a bit in trip as well.”
The other race over fences on the card went to Aspurofthemoment who made it three wins from as many starts since joining Gavin Cromwell by taking the Geoff Scally’s Centra Summerhill Beginners Chase.
The Ocovango gelding landed a point-to-point for Eugene O’Sullivan last November and was sent off the 5/2 favourite following two handicap hurdles wins for the From The Ground Up Syndicate.
Keith Donoghue’s mount headed St Cuthbert’s Cave at the final fence and kept on well on the run-in to beat that rival by three lengths.
Cromwell said, “He’s been a great buy. He jumped well on the whole and I’d say two and a half is probably the minimum for him on better ground.
“It was a gutsy enough performance, and he finds a way of winning which is always a good sign in a horse. We’ll probably have a look for a rated novice and take it from there.”
THE father and son team of Ned and Kieren Buckley were on the mark with Malbas in the West Midlands Credit Union Handicap Hurdle. The top weight was scoring for the second time in three starts since joining the Ratoath trainer this year and led before the last to beat Jerrari by a length.
“The last time we ran him in Down Royal the ground was probably quick enough, and Kieren said he was never happy on it and not jumping as well as he can. We were delighted to see the rain over the last few days,” said Ned Buckley, who trains the 9/2 shot for the Finish Line Partnership.
“He was in front a bit sooner than I liked but the race kind of fell apart in front of him and he had to go on. He’ll probably go over a fence at some stage as we’ve schooled him and he’s very good.”
Give Him A Chance benefited from a patient ride by Tiernan Power Roche to land the Joe Quinn Transport Longford Handicap Hurdle. The 9/2 chance made steady progress on the final circuit to lead just before the final flight and drew clear on the run-in to beat Ballykinlar by five lengths.
“They went some gallop and he was flat out. He had just three behind going out on the final circuit but Tiernan was patient and gave him a brilliant ride,” said Philip Rothwell who trains the winner for John O’Connor.