FOR the second consecutive afternoon, trainer Willie Mullins recorded a treble at Punchestown, with Spanish Harlem the first to draw for the stable when taking the opening Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase. Ridden by Sean Cleary-Farrell, the Dr Peter Fitzgerald-owned 8/15 favourite stayed on well to win by one and a quarter lengths.
David Casey reported: “The trip and the track suited him, and he has plenty of experience. Sean gave him a good ride and he kept galloping well. I thought he’d have won a beginners’ before now and I’d say nicer ground suits him and obviously those extended trips.
“He’ll keep going for the summer I’d imagine and might go to Galway, although it could be sharp enough around there for him. I’d say he’ll be looking at races like the Kerry National and Munster National.”
Jump at the chance
Keep Up completed a double for both Mullins and Cleary-Farrell in the Lily & Wild Mares’ Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 4/5 favourite, the Donald Galt-owned five-year-old overcame a mistake at the last to score easily by five lengths.
David Casey said: “She was a little bit in his hands, but they were going a good enough gallop. She jumped well and was probably fresh after her break, but he gave her a good ride.
“She can go for a novice, and we could have a look at Galway. Hopefully she’ll improve a bit from it. Sean is in Willie’s full-time and is a good rider and works hard. These days are for lads like him. He’s getting his chance and he’s taking it with both hands.”
McGuinness gets her shot
Anna McGuinness made virtually all on Joli Travail to bring up the Mullins three-timer in the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 2/1 favourite, the J.P. McManus-owned gelding pecked on landing after the last, but soon recovered to win by two and a half lengths.
David Casey commented: “It looked like he learned a bit in Killarney, and he jumped better today. He probably improved a bit for the run and the extra few furlongs helped. Hopefully the horse will go on and, looking at the size of him, he should be jumping fences.
“Anna is a good rider. She used to work for Jimmy Lambe, and he recommended her to us when he was moving to Australia. She’s been with us just over a year and has a great seat over an obstacle.”
LISTOWEL jockey Gavin Brouder continued his excellent recent form when partnering Hardwired to win the K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase.
Trained by Ted Walsh and bred by his wife Helen, the 20/1 chance stayed on best from two out to beat Antrim Coast half a length.
Walsh said: “That’s his third win around Punchestown and he’s won five now with five different jockeys. He gave him a great ride and is some value for 3lb.
“He didn’t travel well and was hunting him several times. He’s a tricky ride. Zorcha Wentworth is a great owner and is very patient.”
Coming up roses
Hannah Phillips rode her second winner under rules aboard Rose Boum in the INHSC Congratulate Pandora Briselden Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle. Trained by Paul Nolan, the 10/3 joint-favourite kept on well after the last to score by half a length for owner Mrs Elizabeth Walsh.
Phillips said: “Thanks to Ken Whelan for helping me to get the ride as I rang him and told him I’d no ride in the race. Paul’s horses are flying at the moment.
“She had a very good run behind Lilian Bland in Wexford and got a lot of confidence off that run. We went a nice even gallop, and she jumped like a buck.”
Gallant grey prevails
Londonofficecallin just held on to win the Madison Flooring Supporting Kilmacud Crokes Handicap Hurdle under Kieren Buckley.
Sent off 9/2, the Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding beat Stay Gold a nose in a driving finish. Following a subsequent enquiry, the In Bounds Syndicate-owned grey was confirmed the winner.
for Carey
PATRICK Mullins rode Brosna Queen to win the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
Sent off 3/1, the Tony Kilduff-owned five-year-old led inside the final furlong, going on to score by one and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Sonny Carey reported: “I think she’s a good filly and she’s still green. Michael Sharpe rides her at home and Garret Malone, they do a brilliant job on her because she’s not simple.
“We might give her a break and bring her back for the Mucklemeg (at Gowran) or Cheltenham in November. We’ll try and get some blacktype with her, as she has a very nice pedigree.”
More to come
Mick Collins led on the run-in to beat odds-on favourite Luker’s Tipple in the Bermingham Cameras Maiden Hurdle. Sent off 9/2, the Anthony O’Gorman-owned gelding stayed on strongly under Eoin Walsh for a two-and-a-quarter-length win.
Trainer Noel Meade said: “I’ve been disappointed with him, not today obviously, but his run in Cork and I thought he was a better horse than even this.
“We decided we’d let him bowl along and he’s battled well from the last. He’s a big, raw horse and has won now on the flat and over hurdles. I hope he’ll improve.”