THE market got it right ahead of the Donohue Marquees (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary’s final meeting of the year as Ace Brannigan (1/1 favourite) displaced Letos at the head of the market and proved too strong for that rival on his first start over flights
The market principals were up front throughout as the 120-rated Letos made the running.
Ace Brannigan, trained for Anthony Head by Henry de Bromhead, took that one’s measure on the home turn with two to jump and stayed on well to score by six and a half lengths.
“We liked him at home and he had schooled well,” said winning rider Darragh O’Keeffe.
“He had run well in a point-to-point and he was a bit unlucky to be carried out in a bumper in Clonmel. I think he’ll come on plenty from the experience.”
Successful start
Getaway Beo (15/8 favourite) made a winning start to her career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Trained by Gordon Elliott for owner/breeder Mark Grace, the five-year-old tracked the leaders and jumped to the front two out before being pushed out to beat stablemate Clarnagh Maid by six lengths.
Winning rider Jack Kennedy said: “She’s a fine big mare, probably still has a bit of maturing to do physically.
“She’s tall and narrow and she’ll be a nice mare when she fills out. She’ll definitely go on softer ground, but I’m not sure about the depths of the winter.”
Well-bred
Since turning conditional, experienced point-to-point rider Michael Kenneally’s 7lb claim has looked an absolute steal and he kept his good run going when partnering Flidais (9/2) to victory in the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Handicap Hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs.
A second winner on the card for Mount Nelson, the seven-year-old mare travelled strongly behind the leaders and went to the front two out to beat Mickey Cohen by an easy eight lengths.
Owner/trainer John Ryan said afterwards: “The trips have been a bit short for her and this longer distance has brought out a huge improvement. She’s out of a 12-time winning mare in France and her half-brother made €150,000 at the sales last year, so she’s a well-bred filly.”
Romella rolls back the years
VETERAN Romella (11/2) secured a fifth career victory in the mares handicap hurdle. Phillip Enright produced the 11-year-old to dispute going to the second-last flight and she was left clear by the fall of front-runner Sceptred Isle.
Romella went on to post a comprehensive 10-length success over Volez Vous. The winner had been second over fences at Clonmel four days previously.
Trainer Brendan Walsh said: “I was just a bit worried as it was only Thursday that she ran, but she felt great at home. When it was a small field, I declared hoping I’d get placed because the ground will be going for her shortly.
“That was the main reason I ran, when the soft ground comes she’ll be gone. The owner Anthony Byrne couldn’t be here today but it’s great for him.”
Protector makes amends
A creditable second on his penultimate start at Wexford before being well-beaten at Listowel, Watchful Protector (6/1) appreciated stepping back up in trip when winning the WTW Willis Maiden Hurdle.
Trained by Emmet Mullins for Paul Byrne, the Mount Nelson gelding sat second before going on with two to jump and stayed on well to beat market leader King Jon Oliver by six lengths.
Winning rider Donagh Meyler said: “We were obviously disappointed with him in Listowel and it’s nice to turn it around here today. I’m not sure how strong the race was, but hopefully he can go on from it. He did things well, he went down and winged the last, which probably made life easier. I’m delighted with him.”
LOVE Bite sprang a 40/1 surprise under Aidan Kelly in the 0-100 two-mile, seven-furlong handicap hurdle. Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the Milan mare came from off the pace to lead two out and stayed on well to beat County Champs by a length and three quarters.
The winner, a sister to Grade 1 winner Beat That and a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Might Bite, started her career with their trainer Nicky Henderson.
Derek O’Connor, husband of the winning owner Carol O’Connor and brother-in-law of trainer Grainne O’Connor, said: “Her breeding is exceptional. She’ll continue to race, but she’ll obviously be for covering in the springtime.
“She had won a point-to-point and Grainne has done a wonderful job of handling her. She’s a miller over a fence and I can see her doing something similar over fences.
“She’s in such good form that I’d say we’ll go over fences sooner rather than later.”
Easy winner
Touched off on his debut at Listowel, State Pension (2/1) was ousted from favouritism by Garahon ahead of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction INH Flat Race but proved far superior to that rival on the track as he scored easily in the hands of Adam Ryan.
Trained by Harry Kelly for Gemma O’Mahoney, the Diamond Boy gelding tracked the front-running Garahon before heading that one over a furlong out. Despite looking green in front, he soon stretched clear to beat the market leader by 11 lengths.
Kelly said: “He went to Listowel and had never been off the bridle before. The track was sharp there and was probably too sharp again for him today. Adam said after Listowel, the bigger the track, the better he’ll be.
“I think he’s a very good horse. We thought we’d have him sold after Listowel, it was a perfect opportunity after being beaten a nose, but nothing came from it. He’s for sale. Every pensioner in the country will be after backing him!”