THE first part of a double for Willie Mullins, Venusienne proved a class above her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Highly tried since joining current connections, the French import was widely expected to make the breakthrough in this two-and-a-half-mile heat.
Well-supported from early shows of 4/6 to a starting price of 2/7, the J.P. McManus-owned market leader gained a definite advantage from the second. Gradually increasing her lead on the final circuit, she ultimately sauntered to a facile 27-length win.
“I was hopeful of that performance, it wasn’t the strongest of races and she’s entitled to improve,” winning rider Paul Townend reflected.
“She flew around here in second gear and hopefully she has a bright future.”
Doubling up
May Call You Back (7/4 favourite) completed the Mullins brace, with this Pauline Carroll-owned seven-year-old just holding off Sayitfirst in the Pickardstown Handicap Chase.
Registering a fourth win from her last seven starts, the Walk In The Park bay tracked the leaders under Brian Hayes and took closer order after three out.
In front before the next, she was steadied into the last and, while strongly pressed on the run-in, she dug deep to prevail by a short head.
“She was very game and was mad tough,” Hayes enthused.
“She just pricked her ears coming down to the last and had a right look at it. She got in under the bottom of it and it took her a while to get going again. I think she is better over fences, she is a real good jumper and has loads of scope.”
Rock on
Juke Box Rock could also prove more adept over the larger obstacles, with this Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old justifying 5/2 favouritism (drifting from 7/4) in the Waterford Greenway Beginners Chase.
Starting off over fences and coming with his challenge on the inner approaching two out, the Keith Donoghue-ridden victor soon led.
While two of his rivals on the outer were inconvenienced by a loose horse, he enjoyed a clearer passage and found plenty when ridden in the closing stages, seeing off Menas Miracle by a length and three quarters.
“He obviously had plenty of schooling done and it probably stood to him. He reached at the ditch the first time, but learned plenty from it and got into a good rhythm after that,” Donoghue explained.
“He is after being very consistent and his owners (the ABP Partnership) have been very patient, so it’s good that he won.”
QUICKLY following up on his breakthrough win at Killarney on Sunday, Rock Ya Boy Ya (7/4 favourite) made light work of his rivals in the Ardmore Handicap Hurdle. Carrying a 7lb winner’s penalty, the Francis Casey-trained seven-year-old raced in a share of the lead with Stoneyford Lady.
Jumping well throughout, the Alix Balfe-ridden victor gained an outright advantage before two out and soon skipped clear, ultimately coming home five and a half lengths to the good.
“I did (have to run him again after a 13lb rise) and I don’t know what the handicapper will give him now, but we’ve got two wins out of him anyway, so we won’t complain,” Casey, who trains the winner for his mother Junie, commented.
“I was nearly tempted to put him in again at Downpatrick tomorrow, but he would have had another 7lb. This win opens up plenty of options though.”
Patient ride
Registering a sixth career win, Killinure Lass claimed the Tramore Racecourse On Instagram Handicap Hurdle, with the Philip Dempsey-trained eight-year-old benefiting from a patient Jordan Gainford ride.
Taking closer order on the outer from early on the final circuit, the 10/1 chance (from 16s) was pushed along to lead before the last and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, prevailing by a length and a quarter from Inthenickoftime (10/11 favourite), a winner at Galway on Tuesday.
“She’s always run well around here and is probably better over hurdles than she is over fences,” Dempsey revealed. “Thomas (Austin - owner) isn’t here, he got knocked down in the ring at Roscommon and hurt his leg. He was lucky it wasn’t worse and he’s on the mend.”
RETURNED at 3/1, the Emmet Mullins-trained Barra Rua just foiled a late plunge on Le Roi Du Livet (7/2 from 12s) in the Copper Coast (Ladies Pro-Am) INH Flat Race. In front early on under Maxine O’Sullivan, the bay victor was headed from halfway and, while appearing to be coming off second best with over a furlong to go, she rallied gamely in the closing stages, ultimately prevailing by a nose.
“It was a bit messy throughout, but she is very honest and gallops well,” O’Sullivan said of the Seven Heads Group Syndicate-owned five-year-old. “Pat Tobin bred her and set up the syndicate. They are Cork lads and I’m very fond of them, so I’m delighted to ride a winner for them.
“They have Dream On Baby too and she finished second in Thurles earlier, so half the lads are there.”
Better luck
While out of luck with Wartime Leader (fifth) in that concluding heat, Denis Hogan was earlier successful through Cousin Kate in the opening www.tramoreraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Out of Grade 1 winner Augusta Kate, the Liam Mulryan-owned four-year-old drifted from early shows of 10/3 to a starting price of 13/2.
Given a patient ride by Daniel King, the bay victor was pushed along in fifth after three out and was ridden in third approaching the final flight.
Getting a nice run through on the inner away from the last, she soon swept to the front and was a cosy winner at the line, finishing two and a quarter lengths clear of 13/8 favourite Maxicourt.
“It wasn’t the strongest of races on paper and it kind of fell apart in front of me, but they all take winning,” King reported. “Hopefully, she can build on this and win plenty more.”