NATIONAL Hunt racing resumed following a fortnight summer break with this eight-race all chase card and champion trainer Willie Mullins wasted no time getting back in the groove, sending out a near 48/1 treble in the opening three races.
Runcok, the only ride on the afternoon for Paul Townend, set the ball rolling in the Tipperary Races Beginners Chase over an extended two miles.
He was sent off the 5/4 favourite having fallen three out when holding a clear lead on his chasing debut at Roscommon last month and, despite a mixed bag of jumping, duly gained compensation for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede when making all and holding off Jet Setting Jim by a length and a quarter.
“He has a brilliant jump in him, when he meets it right, and at least now he knows where his feet are when he is having to sort himself out,” said Townend. “He remembered the fall but learned from it, as he was able to find his feet today. He likes being let jump and gallop.”
Flying home
Arctic Fly (12/1) recorded a fifth career win in the Tipperary Town Plate Handicap Chase, with Sean O’Keeffe’s mount getting the better of St Faz on the run-in to score by a length and three quarters.
“We went a good pace which suited her, and I was happy with my position throughout. She jumped well and kept on well from the last,” said O’Keeffe, who was wearing a black armband following a recent family bereavement for owner Brendan O’Sullivan.
Hat-trick sealed
May Call You Back completed the Mullins treble when repeating her win of 12 months ago in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Chase.
Regular partner Brian Hayes was again in the saddle and the Pauline Carroll-owned 4/6 favourite led early in the straight and took control after the last to beat Miners Bridge by a comfortable length and three quarters.
“Brian went down the rail and I think that made the difference. She travelled a lot more kindly than she did the last day in Tramore, and I’d say fences improved her as she jumps so well,” said Mullins’ son Patrick before adding, “She’s in again on Friday in Wexford.”
MINERS Bridge’s rider Phillip Enright filled the runner-up spot three times on the card but did go one better aboard Belle The Lioness in the Walter Hennessy Auctioneers Mares’ Beginners’ Chase.
The 25/1 chance dug deep on the run-in to just touch off Cobra Queen on the line by a head and owner/trainer Sam Curling said: “I’m delighted with that. She’s in foal to Harzand, so I’m not sure if she will have another run or not. She’s won a bumper, hurdle and a chase and is blacktype, so she’ll be a nice broodmare.”
Off the mark
Pride Of Place opened his account at the 12th attempt when prominent throughout in division one of the two-mile, seven-furlong Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase, getting on top in the closing stages under Charlie O’Dwyer to beat fellow 5/1 joint favourite Walk In Time by three lengths.
“He stays well and I thought I’d win a Ladies’ Cup with him, so that’s gone out the window now!” said Enda Bolger, who trains the winner for J.P. McManus.
Born Bright added to two hurdle wins and a point-to-point when taking division two for owner/trainer/breeder Claire O’Connell, with the Kalanisi mare finishing strongly under James Smith to beat West Clare by two lengths.
“It means the world to win with a home-bred filly, and we’ve had this family for four or five generations. She was very unlucky at Limerick where she had a hard fall, and I think in Roscommon she was jumping big and slow and needed confidence. She missed a few down the back today when they really started racing, but she’s tough and wants good ground,” said Ashbourne-based O’Connell of the 7/1 winner.
EMMET Mullins is eyeing up targets at the Galway Festival for Arctic Gale (11/2) after the Annette Mee-owned gelding got the better of Betty Dutton on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter in the Baileys Hotel Cashel Beginners Chase over an extended two miles and three furlongs.
“His jumping over fences seems to be a lot better than over hurdles and Donagh (Meyler) said that’s what kept him in the race today with the early pace. I wouldn’t have any worry stepping him up in trip and he might mix it over hurdles and fences at Galway,” said Mullins.
Killarney and Galway targets
Dark Note justified good support (7/1 in the morning and backed from 4/1 into 11/4 on track) in the concluding Packie Downey Memorial Rated Novice Chase, with Cian Quirke’s mount collaring the front-running Caesar Rock in the closing stages for a length-and-a-quarter success.
Andy Slattery’s brother and assistant trainer Brian said: “He’s a great auld servant and has won now on the flat, over hurdles and fences. He gives the boys (For The Good Times Syndicate) a good day out every day he runs. You can be sure he’ll be in Killarney and Galway and will keep mixing it.”
Jack Kennedy made a welcome return after over 15 weeks on the sidelines but was out of luck on his three rides, which included a third place finish aboard St Cuthbert’s Cave in the finale.