THE Martin Brassil-trained It’s Never Simple (16/1) gained a first career success when getting up close home to win the Kepak Handicap Chase. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces, the J.P. McManus-owned gelding travelled into the race strongly under Ricky Doyle and was ridden from the final fence, getting up right on the line to beat Gaelic Des Chastys by a short head.
“He’s been disappointing over hurdles and we had the option with his three runs in handicaps that he can get in off his mark over fences,” said Brassil. “I was delighted the way he did that today. He was a bit lucky at the second last, but finished the race well, which is good. Hopefully there might be another one in him.”
The Raceday Stewards interviewed P.M. O’Brien, rider of Gaelic Des Chastys (FR), trained by E. McNamara, concerning where he appeared to ease his mount prematurely costing him first place. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he felt his horse was not running on for the use of his whip. He stated that he continued riding with hands and heels and does not feel he eased down prematurely.
Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that P.M. O’Brien was in breach of R.212A(iv)(a) in that he stopped riding costing him a better place and, in considering his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for 14 race days and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee.
Second scorer
Brassil and Doyle completed a double as Il Silenzio (11/1) kept on nicely from off the pace to win the Paul Byron Shoes Handicap Chase at Roscommon. The Hopefuls Syndicate-owned gelding headed long-time leader Hit The Frame between the last two fences and eased clear on the run-in to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
“That was great. He’s a similar sort of horse to the other fella,” said Brassil. “He had his first run over fences here off his hurdle mark and we were delighted with the run, but then he just didn’t back it up in Tipperary. We said we’d come back to where he ran well. He enjoyed it around here and loves the nice ground as well.”
ROSS O’Sullivan trained 11/2 chance Mags Nelson to win the featured DNG Ivan Connaughton Handicap Hurdle under Danny Gilligan. The Rathmoy Syndicate-owned gelding always travelled strongly and led before two out, keeping on well from the last to beat Inthenickoftime by two and a quarter lengths.
“He’s a nice horse. He had a good freshen up since the last day,” said O’Sullivan. “He loves a trip and a bit of nice ground. He’s a big horse and he’ll jump a fence as well. He’s owned by a bunch of lads from Fermoy.
“We’ll keep him going while the ground and the weather is like this. It’s probably a bit easier to win races at this time of year and that’ll suit him, that’s his level.”
Put it all together
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy won the opening Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle Maiden Hurdle with Power Of Words. Leading after three out, the 7/2 chance kept on well to score by one and a quarter lengths for owner Frank Morris.
“It’s nice for him to get that done,” said Kennedy. “He shows us a bit at home, but has probably just done things wrong on his previous few runs. He put it all together there today and did it well. He was only doing what he had to do (late on). He did everything right today, so hopefully if he keeps going that way, he can progress.”
Onwards and upwards
Eoin Doyle sent out Yosemite Gold (13/2) to win Division II of the Railway Bar Maiden Hurdle under Phillip Enright. Tracking the pace into the straight, the Mrs Christina Hughes-owned gelding led after the final flight to score by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
“All his runs over hurdles were solid and his jumping has improved with every run,” said Enright. “He was very good today and was brave at the second last. In fairness to him, he galloped from the last to the line. He’s a four-year-old, so he was getting the weight allowances as well, it helped. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for him.”
LAURIE Blue (4/1) showed plenty of determination to battle back on the run-in under Jordan Gainford to win Division I of the Railway Bar Maiden Hurdle in the colours of Mrs Diane Flanagan. The Eamon Delany-trained mare looked in trouble when headed by market leader Firebrand after three out, but rallied to get back upsides after the last and kept on strongly close home to win by two lengths.
“We bought her three years ago and paid plenty of money for her after she was second in a point-to-point,” said Alan Delany. “We always liked her at the start, but there were little issues and we didn’t know if we’d get back to where we are. It’s a great team effort, we have a small team at home. It means a lot to us as my dad is in hospital.”
Plenty of drama
Father and son Conor and Charlie O’Dwyer landed a dramatic renewal of the J.F. Hanley Groundscare Beginners Chase with Solsbury Hill (14/1). An incident-packed race saw both St Cuthberts Cave and Fiveonefive depart after three fences and, as Solsbury Hill closed on leaders before two out, Old Bill Barley jumped badly right colliding with the eventual winner. However, O’Dwyer soon had the Hugo and Anne Kane-owned winner back on an even keel, staying on nicely to score easily by 11 lengths.
“We’re thrilled. I’ve been dying to go chasing with him, even though he’s not hurdling long,” said Conor O’Dwyer. “With an opportunity like that on a lovely track with lovely fences, and a small field, we just thought we’ll go for it and we can go back hurdling if we want to. He likes that bit of nicer ground and two miles is his trip, on that type of track.”
Slattery’s fine run continues
Trainer Andy Slattery sent out yet another bumper winner as Ripsnorter made all the running under Adam Ryan to land the concluding Brian Keenan On-Course Bookmaker INH Flat Race.
The well-backed 7/4 chance (from 11/2) was sent straight to the front from flag fall, making all to beat Cloughjordan a length in the colours of the Punchestown Friends Syndicate.
Brian Slattery commented: “He’s been working well with all the other bumper horses, so we were expecting him to go very close today. We’re very happy with him and long may they keep running like this.
“He jumps very well at home so the options are open, but it’s possible he could be sold after today. If not, he jumps well and we’ll go that route.”