VAUREAL recorded a third career victory when rallying gamely on the run-in to land the featured K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase on day two of the Punchestown weekend fixture.
The 9/1 chance set the pace under Paddy O’Hanlon and dug deep after being headed narrowly by the 3/1 favourite Jalila Moriviere between the final two fences, getting on top in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter. The pair pulled 14 lengths clear of He’s Gorgeous in third.
“He had a great run here in the three-mile banks race the last day and this has been the plan for a while. We said we’d change tactics and just bounce him out.
“He jumps very well, so there was no point in trying to hold him back. He’s done it well,” said Ian Donoghue, who trains the Kapgarde gelding for D.J. Gillen.
McManus double
Jalila Moriviere’s owner J.P. McManus had better luck elsewhere on the card, with a double via Raglan Road and Between Friends.
Raglan Road added to a win over fences at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day in the Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase, getting on top after the last under Mike O’Connor to beat Yoradreamer by two and a half lengths.
“Mike was great on him, and he saw out the trip well. He got run off his feet a little bit here the last day, but obviously the three miles suited him and we’ll stick to that trip I’d say,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead of the 13/8 winner.
Between Friends was well supported on track from 10/1 into half those odds for the Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle and was just shaken up by Aidan Kelly on the run-in and beat Latopix by a cosy two and three-quarter lengths.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “She had a bit of experience in handicaps, which meant a lot to her and jumped well. She’ll tip away there with a bit of easy ground for the summer.”
THE stewards were kept busy after an exciting finish to the TRM Supporting Every Stride Of The Journey Handicap Hurdle, where Smackwater Jack, trained by Denise Foster for Jules Sigler, beat Morell River by a neck, with Jackmoon just the same distance further back in third. “He’s a fair old horse for 12. He’s a hardy horse and battled strongly,” said rider Ethan O’Sullivan of the 22/1 winner.
The jockeys of the first three home were all suspended for different offences, with O’Sullivan given a two-day ban for careless riding after causing interference close home to Jackmoon, whose partner Jordan Canavan was also suspended for two days after hitting his mount after the line. Morell River’s rider Ricky Doyle was given a seven-day ban for improper riding after appearing to push O’Sullivan after the line.
Jerry From Kerry was certainly the easiest winner on the card for the father and son team of Paul and Jack Gilligan, stretching clear in the straight to readily beat Captain Hanley by 16 lengths in the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.
“The step up in trip seemed to suit him. Both his brother (The Butcher Said, won six times for Olly Murphy) and full-sister want a trip. It was actually Bubba (Niall Amond) that rang me one day about him and Peter (Mulrooney) bought him within minutes. Obviously long-term the plan will be Galway,” said Paul Gilligan of the 3/1 shot.
KEVIN Sexton continued a fruitful recent link-up with the Gordon Elliott yard, as Ma Jacks Hill made it four winners in just over 48 hours for the combination in the Bermingham Cameras Novice Chase.
The Gigginstown-owned 11/1 chance took full advantage of a blunder by the odds-on Supersundae two out, before going on to beat Jolie Jewel by three-quarters of a length. “He has a bit of a mind of his own, but he was very straightforward today and jumped like a buck,” said Sexton.
Fairlander, soundly beaten here last time at the Festival, justified good support in the calmer waters of the Congratulations Nicole Lockhead Anderson INHSC Ladies Handicap Hurdle.
The well-backed 7/2 favourite asserted early in the straight to beat Hidalgo Des Mottes by three and three-quarter lengths and trainer Philip Rothwell commented: “We decided to ride him more positive today and he travelled very well. He jumped really, really well for Phidelma (Elvin) and will get a little holiday now.
Supporters
“I’d like to thank David L’Estrange, who is a part-owner (along with Eric Newnham and William Esdaile) in the horse. The support that he has given me in the last 18 months is incredible and it’s given us a huge amount of confidence.”
Willie Mullins suffered a number of reverses earlier on the card, but the well-bred Al Arrivee, owned by the champion trainer’s wife Jackie and ridden by son Patrick, ensured he didn’t leave empty-handed, when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
The half-sister to dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo reeled in the front-running False Dawn by the home turn and the 5/6 favourite soon took control for a comfortable three-and-a-quarter-length victory over the staying on Brave Lady.
“She did it well giving weight away all round and has a lovely pedigree. I’m hoping now to go over hurdles and possibly get some blacktype with her before we send her to stud next season,” said the Closutton maestro.