AFTER a deplorable week weather-wise, the ground was saturated; however, the going was described as yielding to soft (heavy in places), which is a credit to the course.
The opening four-year-old maiden was captured by Metal D’Ainay (5/4 - 2/1), who trounced his three rivals. The son of Cokoriko was at the head of affairs throughout, before coming under pressure after three out.
He responded to trainer and rider Derek O’Connor’s urgings, showing a sharp turn of foot to head the long-time leader Ballynulto after the second last.
The £50,000 store, who was sporting the colours of O’Connor’s wife Carol, quickened away to win by a ready 20 lengths from Straight Out.
Derek O’Connor described the scopey individual as ‘a little bit babyish’, before adding: “I think he’s very nice and he’s going to go to Donald McCain to be trained now. Hopefully, he’ll have a good future for Donald. He’s going to great hands.
“He’s carrying a body like the majority of mine, so ability needs to shine through when they’re like that and ability shone through today.”
Walk extends record
The mares’ winners of two was captured by the Knockalough Syndicate-owned Walk The Hall (2/1 - 6/4), who brought her record to two from two over course and distance.
Settled in rear for much of this race under Johnny Barry, this mare made a swooping move to lead after the second last. She found herself in a duel from early in the straight; however, a good jump at the last sealed the deal, and she won going away by three lengths.
The eventual second Johnny’s Belle threw away whatever chance she had with a mistake at the last.
Handler Tom Dreaper stated: “She’s a lovely filly. I’d say this place suits her. She’s a fine big hardy Walk In The Park mare. I brought her to Cork, and I shouldn’t have done a couple of weeks ago.
“It just didn’t work out and Johnny jumped off her saying to come here today. She absolutely needs a cut being a big mare, and might go down that mares’ hunter chase route now.”
Making all
The Graham McKeever-owned Kirikou D’Ex (2/1 - 9/4) compensated for an early departure on his last start, as he made all to score decisively by 15 and a half lengths in the older maiden.
The Spanish Moon gelding had his mind made up for him virtually everywhere under a masterful ride from Dara McGill and never looked in any danger as he defeated Tony The Pony.
“He was good,” handler Gerald Quinn said. “Unfortunately, he fell the last day because we thought if he stayed on his feet, he wouldn’t be far away. “Dara gave him a masterclass as he’s not great when he’s in deep to his fences. He’s probably for sale now.”
STUART Crawford and Stephen Connor recorded a double on the day with a pair of newcomers. The first of these was Elizabeth Hamilton’s homebred Lisbane (5/2 - 3/1) in the mares’ maiden.
Under an educational ride, the daughter of Idaho progressed gradually from the rear during this race, until striking the front on the approach to the home straight. She found plenty for pressure and was always holding Lady Eimile, to prove victorious by a length.
“I was planning to start this mare off in Armagh, but the way it turned out, I thought she was in good enough form to come here today,” Crawford said.
“She travelled and jumped well for her first time out, and she wouldn’t have had that many days away from home. She’ll step forward now from that. If there is a customer for her, she’ll be for sale.”
Largy Leader (5/2) created a favourable impression as the second leg of the double in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden when he was produced to lead on the home turn.
The son of Capri kept on well up the run-in to score by a length and a half from He’s Happy.
Largy Bloodstock’s £10,000 store can be marked up as he conveyed signs of inexperience when hitting the front, having also made a bad mistake at the fifth fence.
This was also a pleasing debut from He’s Happy, as he stayed on well after a mistake at the second last. “He wouldn’t wow you at home, but any time we’ve taken him away he just comes alive and does things nicely,” Connor remarked.
“For a five-year-old, he’s still babyish. He picked up well and was plenty green when he hit the front, but he was always holding on. He’ll go to the sales now.”
DECLAN Lavery reached a major milestone in his career as he registered his 100th winner between the flags aboard the Jennifer O’Kane and John Hegarty-owned superstar Winged Leader (5/6 - 1/1 favourite) in the open.
Upsides Cadoudal Saint, the pair set a strong gallop in the testing conditions and effectively turned this contest into a match. The now 39-time winner shook off the attentions of his closest pursuer after the second last and kept up the relentless gallop to reign victorious once more by 21 lengths for Fermanagh handler David Christie.
Lavery enthused afterwards: “He’s class, but he makes you work for it. He jumped brilliantly, but because he has a bit of age about him, he saves a bit for himself.
“I thought we were flying, and Noel [McParlan] never gave me an easy time. You’re just a passenger on him really. He’s a bit slower now, but he’s tough and hardened and will just keep going for you.”
Horse to follow
He’s Happy (P. E. Turley): This son of Capri is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Thyne Again and fetched €11,500 when purchased by Declan Lavery from the Goffs Arkle sale as a store. He travelled fluently in behind the pace, before going in pursuit of the eventual winner after the second last. He stayed on strongly in the straight and perhaps on a sounder surface, with natural improvement, he may have a good chance on his next start.