Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

SO many of National Hunt’s biggest prizes are dominated by superpower trainers and owners nowadays, so a proper grassroots, Co Cork success for Answer To Kayf in the €100,000 Bar One Racing Troytown Chase was richly savoured by a delighted Terence O’Brien.

The Carrigtwohill-based trainer has exercised noticeable patience with his stable star down the years; this was only the sixth time we’d seen the 11/1 chance in a chase under rules. Fermoy native Johnny Shinnick made his intentions clear from the outset that he wanted to be prominent on Denis O’Connor’s lightly raced nine-year-old, and those tactics were carried out to perfection - even if he lost his position at a key moment after getting tight to the fourth last.

There was an awful lot to like about how he rallied to regain his position and throw down a serious challenge up the straight to Yeah Man (second at 20/1 for Gavin Cromwell) and Dunboyne (third at 9/1 for Ian Donoghue); all with his rider never panicking and gradually unwinding his run. Shinnick had a willing partner, who was prepared in fine shape by the O’Brien team to defy a 197-day absence. Joyous, borderline emotional, scenes in the Navan winner’s enclosure showed just how much this big-race success meant to all concerned.

“It was an obvious enough race for him and the ground came right at the right time for him,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously, coming here without a run, it was very hard to know what he’d do. His last two runs were disappointing enough on better ground, but I'd say he’s not the same horse on that as he is in easier conditions.

“Down the bottom of the back straight, I thought we were in serious trouble but, in fairness, he showed great heart and Johnny gave him a super ride. I’m delighted for Johnny because he got a five-day suspension and I thought it was very unfair. He appealed it and they allowed him to ride today - I'm thrilled for him.

“I’m so happy for the O’Connors too, because we’ve been great friends for a long time. I’m sorry [to be getting emotional]... This is a tough game, and it has been hard on Denis at times. He’s been fantastic over the years. This horse had a lot of problems early on but he stuck with us through thick and thin. It’s great to deliver.”

Course charm

This victory extended a scintillating record for O’Brien in handicap chases at Navan. From just 18 runners in that category of race at the Co Meath track, he has now registered six winners, two seconds, three thirds and a fourth.

O’Brien added: “I was second and third in this race a few years back with Glenquest. You think you might not get a chance again because these handicaps are so competitive. We’ve won some big handicaps before but this is as good as we can enjoy when we won’t have the Grade 1 horses. We have nearly 40 horses riding out.

“We’re lucky because if this horse had stayed sound, we probably would have sold him. That’s the irony of it all. He actually started out finishing second in a six-year-olds-and-upwards point-to-point maiden for novice riders at Knockmullen House. His first start over hurdles saw him finish eighth in a maiden at Killarney. He picked up again after a summer break and won at Limerick.”

On what could be next on the agenda, O’Brien said: “The plan was to go to Limerick for the Tim Duggan but maybe we might think about the Thyestes now.”

Shinnick, claiming 3lb, was savouring the biggest win of his career back at the track where he rode his first winner as a flat apprentice in April 2019.

“It’s great when a plan works,” said Shinnick. “This horse has given me great days out and put my name on the map a bit. He was good and tough today.

“The ground was such a benefit to him; the heavier the better. I can’t thank Terence and all the team enough. Days like these are very special.”

Quai De Bourbon was sent off the 3/1 favourite for Willie Mullins but failed to fire and was pulled up before the third last.