WILLIE Mullins was represented in five of the seven races at Thurles’ final meeting of the season and the champion trainer came away with four winners.
The feature race was the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase over two miles, five and a half furlongs and it went to C’est Ta Chance (4/1), who led before the last to beat Nowwhatdoyouthink by four and three-quarter lengths,
“He was brilliant and has been a revelation, as he didn’t jump great over hurdles but has more respect for fences,” said Paul Townend, who rode three of the Mullins winners.
“It was a tough performance to stay going on that ground. He is going the right way and showed a lovely attitude.”
That Grade 3 success extended the fine run of form being enjoyed by owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, and the later victory of Blizzard Of Oz (9/4) in the Jimmy Neville And Aine Hurst Memorial Hurdle made it six winners from the ‘double green’s’ last seven runners in Ireland since last weekend.
A listed winner over fences, the eight-year-old was switching back to hurdles for the first time in nearly two years.
In the five-runner affair over two miles, seven furlongs, the Arctic Cosmos gelding headed Timeless Treaty after the last to post a length and a quarter victory.
Townend reflected: “The horses are hitting form at the right time, and they just seem to get you out of trouble when they hit that form.
“That will do his confidence the world of good. I thought his jump at the second last might have cost me, but he found plenty which he hasn’t always done.”
Coasted home
Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, Karamoja (5/4 favourite) coasted home in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.
Having her third start over fences, the daughter of Masked Marvel made all and jumped well in the two miles, two furlongs contest to beat Neon Diamond by 12 lengths.
“She had decent form last year and was placed in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse,” said Townend. “She had been keen on her first run over fences when she ran okay, but was obviously very flat the last day at Naas, where she was never going. We took the hood off today, she jumped for fun and it was more like it.” Danny Mullins was stood down for the day after a fall of the other Mullins runner, Fancy Girl.
ANNA McGuinness partnered the third of the four Mullins winners, which was Arslan in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off the 4/7 favourite, the Wootton Bassett gelding had his task simplified when market rival Fixios came down at the first. After sidestepping that faller, the winner soon took over in front and made the rest of the running to beat Fenian Maxios by eight and a half lengths. McGuinness, sporting the silks of the Slope Syndicate, said: “He is a gorgeous big horse and everything has come together for him today. He was very straightforward, jumped brilliantly and travelled through the ground.”
First success
Sent off the 9/2 favourite, Live To Laugh gained a first success in the Duggan Veterinary Supplies Handicap Chase.
Ridden by 7lb-claimer Ethan O’Sullivan, the Califet gelding tracked the leaders and hit the front after two out to post a 13-length victory over Lake Chad.
Placed five times before this breakthrough win, the seven-year-old is owned in partnership by Jimmy Whittle, Michael McEvoy, Anthony Callan and the Good For A Laugh Syndicate.
It was O’Sullivan’s fifth winner, and his first since September 2024.
“Ethan gave him a great ride, but unfortunately his grandad died yesterday, so it will give his family a lift,” said winning trainer Peter Fahey.
“Ethan started off with me as a flat apprentice, moved home to Waterford and is now back with me.
“Live To Laugh has been very consistent and I don’t think he is ground-dependent, so I hope he will win a few more races.”
TRICKY at the start he may be, but Lough Nigara (7/2 favourite) showed no shortage of resolution to win on the nod in the Easyfix Equine Handicap Hurdle.
Having hit the front two out, the Dunglen Racing Syndicate’s nine-year-old was headed before the last by Oaks Soldier and rider Ricky Doyle’s whip was knocked out of his hand early on the run-in. That may, if anything, have helped his cause as Doyle cajoled him for a final effort and got him up on the line for a nose success.
The runner-up’s rider Carl Millar picked up a two-day whip ban.
“He is a quirky devil and I have to go to the start every day with him,” said winning trainer Eoin Griffin.
“Natalie Bradley, who rides him every day and led him up today, does a great job with him. She has transformed him, as he was very difficult when he first came to me.
“This is his level and we’ll save his chase mark for next season.”
Easy bumper winner
Looking For Eight was sent off favourite as Willie Mullins went for a five-timer in the Ryans Cleaning Flat Race, but the brother to Sortudo could manage only third behind easy winner Bon Bon Fizz (18/1).
The latter headed the front-running favourite inside the final quarter-mile and, despite running green, was ridden clear to score by 15 lengths from Thinkitdontjinxit.
The winner, ridden by 7lb-claimer Andrew Burke-Ott (three-day whip ban), had failed to complete on two previous starts but had shown promise before falling at the last on hurdling debut at this venue.
Trainer Paul O’Flynn said of Denis Goold’s six-year-old: “He is light-framed, like a lot of Pour Mois, and has a light pedigree but is a really good horse. He is green, but has loads of ability and just needed days into him.”