TOTE ambassador Danny Mullins had plenty of good fortune on his side when partnering a double aboard Argento Boy and El Fabiolo, both trained by his uncle Willie, at this well-attended New Year’s Eve meeting where free entry for all was sponsored by the Tote.
The whole complexion of the Celebrating 175 Years At Punchestown Tote Beginners Chase changed at the fourth last fence where Argento Boy was left in front after stablemate Ballygunner Castle fell in front and brought down 6/5 favourite Slade Steel.
The grey son of Jukebox Jury wandered about a bit before the final fence before keeping on well on the run-in to beat Pray Tell by five and a half lengths.
“He was running a cracker here the last day when he slipped up, and I was very happy that he was able to do that over that (nearly three miles) trip. He jumped a lot better,” said the champion trainer of the Audrey Turley-owned 5/1 chance.
“He was green enough at times especially coming to the last. We put cheekpieces on him over hurdles and might do the same over fences.”
Back to his best
Paul Townend gave up his remaining rides with a sore rib following the fall of Ballygunner Castle and Danny Mullins proved an able deputy on El Fabiolo in the Make The Tote App Your New Year’s Resolution NYE Hurdle over two miles, three furlongs.
The multiple Grade 1-winning chaser fell on three of his four starts earlier this year, but this served as a nice confidence booster reverting to the minor obstacles. The 6/4 favourite, sporting the familiar ‘double green’ colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, made all and asserted before the last before staying on strongly to beat Glen Kiln by eight and a half lengths.
“It’s nice to have him back in winning form and we’ll have to look for a nice race in the spring for him.
“My thought at the moment is to stay over hurdles, and the Aintree Hurdle could be a long-term plan,” said the Closutton maestro.
Fortunate
Glen Kiln’s connections also had fortune on their side when going one better with Linden Arden in the following Tote’s Cheers To 2026 Handicap Hurdle.
Sommesky led early in the straight and had gone about three lengths clear when falling at the last, it left Linden Arden in front under Brian Hayes to score by a length and a half from San Hilario.
“He’d a bit of luck today. He runs well fresh and likes a bit of nicer ground. He likes it here and is suited by a track that doesn’t have a tough finish,” said Harry Kelly who trains the 14/1 winner for John Bowe.
SAMMY Smart proved a poignant winner of the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase as trainer Tom Gibney explained.
“That’s huge as we buried Paddy Melarkey, who owned him along with Kevin (Haigney), only a few days ago. It was always going to be emotional whether he won it or not. You can’t beat a bit of divine intervention.”
The 3/1 favourite and Three In A Row fought out a tremendous finish with James Smith’s mount just getting the nod by a short-head.
“He loves Punchestown and ran really well back in Thurles last month. He tends to need a good gap between his races. I thought this might be on the short side, but it worked out well and James was very strong on him,” added Gibney.
Hot streak
Gordon Elliott continued his great run of success as the Lyreen Syndicate-owned Immediate Effect made a winning start over hurdles in the Celebrate The New Year With Tote 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
The Study Of Man gelding was purchased for 45,000 gns in October after winning twice on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott and having been supported from 10/1 in the morning and sent off a 7/2 chance, quickened up nicely on the run-in under Danny Gilligan to beat Minella Boss by three lengths.
“He showed good signs at home and there is plenty of improvement in him. He’s a nice horse and was rated nearly 90 on the flat. He jumped well and travelled well through the race,” said Elliott.
LOCAL trainer Sonny Carey and 7lb claimer Michael Kenneally added to the victory of The Nagger Reidy at Leopardstown on Sunday when the well-backed Lilannbee made all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
As big as 28/1 overnight and supported into 4/1, the daughter of Order Of St George quickened up early in the straight and kept on well to beat Luciole Des Bordes by a length and three quarters.
“It was my own fault the first few times she ran as she wasn’t right. We always thought she was a nice filly and she’s starting to prove it now,” said Carey, who trains the winner for his wife Mary and Kevin Cooke.
“We might let her take her chance in the Grade 2 bumper in Leopardstown. It just fits in grand and if we got a bit of blacktype, it would be magic. She’s very versatile ground wise.”
Dameauscottlestown, trained by Gavin Cromwell for Martin Cooney, benefitted from a patient ride by Eoin Staples in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, quickening up nicely on the run-in to beat Blue Reed by three and three-quarter lengths.
Cromwell’s race planner Troy Cullen said of the 12/1 shot: “I’d say the ground is the key to her. She ran a couple of times on softer ground and that ground today made an awful difference to her plus coming into handicap company compared to maidens. Eoin gave her a great ride.”