JAMES Motherway sent out the J.P. McManus-owned Uhavemeinstitches to justify 8/11 favourite in the featured Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase. Ridden by Mark Walsh, Uhavemeinstitches made most of the running to beat You Oughta Know by half a length.
Uhavemeinstitches is the third foal of Bluesea Cracker, winner of the 2009 renewal of the race and the 2010 Irish National. Motherway said after the victory: “Bluesea Cracker had a few older foals who unfortunately didn’t set the world on fire, so J.P. gave her back to us during covid. After Uhavemeinstitches, I’ve bred two more, a five-year-old by Wings Of Eagles, who runs shortly in a point-to-point, and another three-year-old by Old Persian, who is entered in the Derby Sale.
“It was great to have both J.P. and Noreen here today and they are fantastic owners.”
Cromwell revival
In the other graded race on the card, Gavin Cromwell continued his recent revival as previous dual winner Coole Cafe ran out a game winner of the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
An academy hurdle winner at Navan, the James Dunne-owned filly was beaten on her next start in a Naas bumper. Having landed a similar race back at that same track last time, Coole Cafe was sent off 7/2 under Declan Lavery to follow up.
Held up towards rear in the initial stages, the daughter of Kodi Bear made headway on the outside to go second over a furlong from home. Quickening up smartly to lead inside the final furlong, Coole Cafe stayed on nicely to score by three-quarters of a length.
Lavery said: “It was a bit of a messy race and when John Gleeson (Apache Peak) kicked on, I didn’t want to let him away too far. When I got to him, I was then left on my own, which wasn’t ideal, but in fairness she was tough and stayed galloping.
“She is a nice filly and the whole key is getting her settled.”
BRIAN Hayes made every yard of the running on the Willie Mullins-trained Baby Kate to win the opening racingtv.com Mares Hurdle.
A maiden winner at Naas in December 2024, the Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate-owned mare failed to add to that success subsequently. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces here, the evens favourite led throughout, finding plenty when pressed by main rival Blue Waters early in the straight.
Keeping on strongly from the back of the last, Baby Kate scored by two and a quarter lengths.
Patrick Mullins commented: “Brian was adamant he wanted to be positive on her and, while she isn’t the most natural jumper, has lots of ability. I think she will probably be retired after that as there is no obvious place for her to go and she has got her blacktype success and other wins.
“Kevin Doyle kindly leased her to us and I’m sure he is looking forward to breeding from her now.”
Dani makes a double
Mullins went on to complete a double as Dani Donadoni landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle under Paul Townend.
Sent off 2/5 favourite, the Mrs Kevin McCarthy-owned gelding made all the running for an easy eight-and-a-half length win.
Townend reported: “He put it together today, but is big and still backwards. He had disappointed me in Leopardstown, but other than that, he had run okay and he met a decent horse the last day when he met interference.
“The penny is only dropping with him now, and maybe a fence will also help him improve as well.”
A WINNER at the track over Christmas, the Michael McDonagh-owned and trained Krabat got up close home to take the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Chase. Sent off 6/1 under Cian Quirke, the 11-year-old was held up initially before closing on the leaders turning into the straight.
Going third on the approach to the last, the gelding stayed on well on the run-in to get up late to beat Caesar Rock by two and a half lengths.
McDonagh said: “A winner for me here is like a Cheltenham winner for someone else.
“I knew this horse would stay and that stamina was needed today in that ground. Cian gave him a nice cool ride. He and all my horses are left out in a paddock every day, which I think keeps them fresh.”
Strong pace
Conditional jockey Eoghan Finegan produced the Ciaran Murphy-trained Something Noble from off a strong pace to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Sent off 25/1, the Niall Slevin and Cathal Slevin-owned gelding was held up in the early stages before tacking onto the heels of the leaders after three out. Coming through to challenge favourite Lenjoleur De Palma at the final flight, the son of Born To Sea quickened up well on the run-in to beat the staying on Malikanna by a length. Murphy reported: “I told Eoghan to ride his own race, he knew they would go quick and I told him to take our beating if it didn’t work out.
“He gave him a lovely confident ride for a 7lb claimer. He’ll go over fences as soon as he can utilise his four-year-old allowance and is a lovely, big type.”
Fine ride
Darragh O’Keeffe produced a fine front-running ride on the Sean Allen-trained Prophet’s Corner to win the Join Racing TV Handicap Chase.
In front from flag fall, the Colm McHenry owned 7/2 chance had most of his rivals in trouble with two to jump.
Baldur’s Gate emerged from the chasing pack to throw down a strong challenge at the last, but his effort was short-lived as Prophet’s Corner asserted again on the run-in. With the former having nothing more to give, Banter At The Bar kept on for second, beaten two and three-quarter lengths.
Sean Allen said: “We wanted to go to the Punchestown Grand National Trial, but he met a setback and the last day, he probably needed the run.
“He is a good honest horse, who runs well most days and he dropped in class today, so maybe was entitled to win. He needs soft ground and the plan is to run again if he gets it.”