DANNY Mullins played a starring role in the saddle when partnering a 167/1 treble including Qaasid who benefitted from the disqualification of hot favourite Marian Avenue in division two of the Irish Wire Products Ltd Handicap Hurdle.
Marian Avenue, trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by his son Philip, was heavily supported from 3/1 into 11/8 favourite and held a slight advantage when edging left approaching two out hampering Qaasid (11/1) while Friar Hogan was carried out in the same incident.
The favourite held a five-length lead at the last, but this was reduced to just a length and a quarter at the line.
Byrnes stated in the subsequent enquiry that his mount cocked his jaw and tried to run out but the stewards took a dim view and suspended him 21 days for dangerous riding and disqualified the gelding.
“My horse lost his two hind shoes and that, without a doubt, happened at the second-last. He was unlucky at Clonmel the last day when he put his foot in a hole and slipped up,” said Qaasid’s trainer Shark Hanlon.
Watering criticism
The Bagnelstown trainer was critical of ground conditions which were officially changed to soft after the opening two races adding, “I’m tired talking about watering of tracks but there is a difference in the ground today, and that is why almost everyone is going wide.
“It is the owners’ first winner with me so I’m delighted, as we had a few quid on him in Clonmel. I go over to London once in a while to meet the (Four Fools & A Fast Horse) Syndicate and when we meet for a pint, it usually takes three days!”
Stretched away
Mullins again gave up the outside to no one on Minella Diamond in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle and the Bill Lanigan-trained top-weight stretched right away on the run-in for an impressive nine-length win over Chemdawg.
There was a sting in the tail for the winning rider who was given a four-day careless riding ban for causing interference to the runner-up before the second last.
“He is a nice horse, and it is great for Christopher Neville (owner from Roscrea) who has been very patient with him as the horse has had little niggly issues. He is fulfilling his promise now though and we could jump a fence with him in time,” said Lanigan of the 5/2 favourite.
Treble up
Mullins completed his treble when stepping in for the ride on Mickey Hulie in division two of the Frankie Dunworth Memorial Handicap Hurdle after Cian Quirke was stood down following an earlier fall.
The well-backed 3/1 favourite got on top in the closing stages to beat Island McCoo by two and a half lengths.
“I’m wicked disappointed for Cian but he’s okay. That’s Danny’s first winner for me and he gave this horse a fantastic ride,” said trainer Harry Kelly.
“I’m delighted for his owners (Greenfingers Partnership), who are from Westmeath and Galway, as they bought him on my recommendation.”
HENRY de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe teamed up for a short-priced double with Lureka Du Noyer and La Cote Fleurie in the opening two races.
Lureka Du Noyer, 11/2 overnight and sent off evens favourite, was prominent throughout and drew clear on the run-in to justify strong support in the Daredevil Events Adrenaline Stunt Circus Maiden Hurdle.
“He had plenty of running done in France and watching him at home, he seemed very straightforward and his schooling was good. It’s a lovely way for him to start off for us and the (Pimlico Racing Ireland) Syndicate,” said O’Keeffe.
La Cote Fleurie held a slight advantage over Ardeen Joy when that rival fell at the last in the Great National South Court Hotel And Dial A Bus Mares Maiden Hurdle leaving the Tipperary bumper winner to come home over six lengths clear of Chisel Hill.
“Going to the last I definitely thought I was going to win. She isn’t overly big but is a lovely filly who has done nothing wrong and jumps well,” said O’Keeffe of the Dr Peter Fitzgerald-owned 8/11 winner.
Danny Mullins was just denied a four-timer on the card as Ballinagaine Girl went down by a neck to Larkins Lane (13/2), trained by Philip Rothwell for the Old Misfits Syndicate, in division one of the Irish Wire Products Ltd Handicap Hurdle.
Tiernan Power Roche’s mount was providing Rothwell with a third winner in as many days.
LASKA Du Breuil, trained by Gavin Cromwell for the No Response Syndicate, benefitted from the step up to two miles, six furlongs in division one of the Frankie Dunworth Memorial Handicap Hurdle with the 8/1 shot quickening up nicely in the closing stages to beat Moonshine Girl by a length.
“Keith (Donoghue) told me to switch him off and to get him settled. He said he ran too fresh with cheekpieces the last day. He travelled and jumped brilliantly and was very professional,” said rider Eoghan Finegan, who is with Cromwell three days a week and also rides out for Ciaran Murphy and Gerry Keane.
Land Me Safe (11/8 favourite) got the better of chief market rival Brave Lady when asserting inside the final 100 yards to ultimately score by nearly four lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
“She was doing things nicely at home but we were coming here knowing that she would come on a lot from it. The penny only dropped in the last half-furlong, and she is one to look forward to,” said rider John Gleeson of the Joseph O’Brien-trained newcomer.
“We’re involved in this horse with the St Quintons, who are longstanding friends of ours through racing.”