TRAINER Sonny Carey picked quite the moment to saddle his first winner at Leopardstown, as major improver The Nagger Reidy took his form to new heights to prevail in a photo to the Mercedes Benz South Dublin Handicap Hurdle - thanks in no small part to a never-say-die ride from Michael Kenneally.
There were jubilant scenes in the winner’s enclosure for the It All Started In Belmont Syndicate, whose 9/2 favourite edged out Hgranca De Thaix by a nose to record a keenly appreciated success.
Carey said: “It’s magic to have a winner here. Michael O’Sullivan [head lad] deserves all the credit, he rides him out every day and does everything with him. The man on board was fantastic because the horse never travelled and never jumped. Could we scrape into the Martin Pipe now?
“My cousin Niall Farrell bred him and sent him to me as a two-year-old, because he’s so crooked he couldn’t sell him. He had him for his first seven or eight runs but passed away last March. He was a great owner and we miss him terribly.
“The owners come from Belmont in Offaly. They include Darragh Kenny the show jumper, and Hardin Towell, a show jumper in America. Joe Turley is a carpenter from Belmont and my wife Mary is originally from there as well.”
Henry de Bromhead made it three days of consecutive Christmas winners when Koktail Divin sprouted wings on the front end to bolt up in the Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase - the race won by Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Gentlemansgame in recent seasons.
Barry Maloney’s five-year-old paid a handsome compliment to Oscars Brother, who beat him last time in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase, and the drop in trip from three miles to an extended two miles and five furlongs proved ideal.
Darragh O’Keeffe was always positive on the 11/4 shot, who got away from the last two fences much quicker than 2/1 favourite Kiss Will - with 21 lengths between the 1-2 at the line.
“He jumped brilliant,” said de Bromhead. “The lads would love to go to Cheltenham so I’d imagine we will, and then it’s a matter of whether we’d have a run in between. He seemed to relish the nice ground.”
Horgan’s first
Joseph O’Brien has also been enjoying an excellent festive window and he supplied Hugh Horgan with his first winner over jumps when Duke Silver ran out a ready 25/1 winner of the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.
Sarah O’Brien’s home-bred had collected in decent style at the Listowel Harvest Festival before disappointing at Punchestown 10 weeks ago. He firmly got back on track here to beat the well-handicapped Yeah Man by a diminishing three quarters of a length.
“He’s been a progressive horse as he’s gone up in trip,” said the winning trainer. “Hugh gave him a great ride; it was only his second ride over hurdles. This horse likes a bit of good-ish ground.”
New Bumper favourite
Willie Mullins broke his bumper duck for the Leopardstown Christmas Festival when Jody Townend guided the free-running Bentraghhill (2/1) to victory in the Forest Fest INH Flat Race for owners Vincent Caldwell and Mr and Mrs Glenn Loxton.
It was quite the display from the €150,000 point-to-point recruit, who is now 10/1 favourite (from 33/1) for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
“I was expecting that. I was amazed that Patrick [Mullins] didn’t make it back up from Limerick to ride him here after showing us plenty at home,” said Mullins. “He looks a big chasing type.”