PAUL Townend’s trip to Roscommon for one mount proved worthwhile as La Note Verte produced an impressive performance in the SuperValu Novice Hurdle on Ladies’ Day at the midlands venue.
The Australia filly, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, went to post 7/4 favourite as she aimed to add to bumper and maiden hurdle wins at Listowel.
It proved plain sailing for the Willie Mullins-trained filly. She soon bagged the lead and skipped clear down the home straight for an easy 12-length success over Fairbanks.
Townend said afterwards: “She improved a lot from Listowel. She was inexperienced that day, even about racing, and when I hit the front she ran about a bit.
“She loved jumping and was looking for the next jump today. She’ll hold her own. Jumping is her forte. She likes a bit of nice ground, so they’ll keep her going and they’ll have good fun with her while we have the ground.”
McGuinness and Mullins strike
It was a double on the day for Mullins as Vicar Street had opened his account with a similarly easy success in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle sponsored by his owner J.P. McManus.
Anna McGuinness took the mount on the even-money favourite and went to the front at halfway on the regally-bred son of Galileo and Vroum Vroum Mag. He asserted over the third last to record a comprehensive 11-length success over Cooladdi.
“He did it grand. She gave him a lovely ride, he jumped great and handled the ground,” said racing manager Frank Berry. “He couldn’t have done any more than he did. I’m sure there is a novice or winners race at Galway for him, that would look the obvious thing.”
THERE was also a double on the card for jockey Donagh Meyler courtesy of Young Churchill and Jerrari. The latter repaid his connections’ faith when running out a convincing winner of the REMAX Team Early Handicap Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington’s charge was produced to lead at the last and the 4/1 favourite kept on well in the closing stages to score by three and three-quarter lengths.
“Fair play to the lads (Mount Temple Three Syndicate), he hasn’t been straightforward and they’ve stuck by him,” said Meyler. “He ran a blinder the last day, but his jumping might have let him down a little bit. That definitely wasn’t a factor today, he jumped very well and travelled well and hit the line well.
“It’s great to get those ones.”
Late lunge
Meyler had teamed up with Noel Meade earlier on the card when Young Churchill lunged late to land the second division of the Frenchpark Maiden Hurdle.
Astelia bounced out to make all but was nailed late on by the 6/5 favourite, who came over to the stand’s side in the closing stages and prevailed by half a length at the line.
“I didn’t think he won half a length! Donagh said the ground was better on that side,” said Meade.
“He’ll go back on the flat now, that’s the plan. I just wanted to win a maiden with him when he had the 8lb allowance. I’d say he’ll win a four-year-old maiden on the flat.”
The first leg of that race had produced a dramatic finish with the Liz Doyle-trained Ryan’s Son leaving his debut run behind to score on his hurdling debut. Bhean Saibhre unshipped her rider when leading two from home, leaving We’re Back Again in front.
He couldn’t hold the late run of 7/1 shot Ryan’s Son though, who charged home on the run-in to score by two and three-quarter lengths under Sean Flanagan.
“He pulled too hard in Punchestown. He was still second or third turning in there in a good bumper but he just never dropped it,” said Doyle.
“We just brought him here today to put manners on him, I was hoping to go back for a bumper.
“He’s a nice horse, but he does everything the wrong way round at the minute.”
EOIN Staples partnered his first winner since turning conditional when Ahead Of The Posse took the opening claiming hurdle. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding came with a well-judged run to lead on the run-in and record a two-and-a-quarter-length win over War Correspondent. The 7/1 winner had been as big as 25/1 in the morning.
Staples said afterwards: “It’s brilliant to do it for Gavin. I haven’t been there long and he’s given me plenty of support. The horse did it well today, he jumped superbly. We got into a lovely rhythm and he won well.”
Bright future for Sydney
Master Sydney was another to post an impressive performance on the card when taking the concluding Ladies’ bumper with ease. Sarah Kavanagh made smooth progress on the Paul Flynn-trained filly in the straight.
The Nathan Matthews-owned daughter of Mastercraftsman led over two furlongs out for a cosy four and three-quarter lengths success at odds of 5/1.
“I think she could be a really good flat filly. I might go to Galway for a fillies maiden there on the Friday,” said Flynn.
“I could stick to this route, I know she looks like a jumping filly, but she’s very quick at home.
“It’s good for the owners. I think they had a bit of bad news this week, so this is a bit of better news.”
Hero saves the day
In the preceding handicap hurdle over an extended three miles, Small Town Hero made a winning start for Ian Donoghue. The Jet Away gelding was sent off 9/2 joint-favourite on his return to Ireland and made all for Conor Stone-Walsh, holding Spellacy’s Cross late on for a half-length win.
“He’s a nice horse. We picked him out at Doncaster. I won’t lie, he was the last on our list and the only one we could afford with the money they were making over there,” said Donoghue.
“Keith rode him work two weeks ago and said whatever you do don’t run this horse under three miles, so that’s what we did. He jumped and galloped.”