LOCAL trainers and riders alike have a habit of excelling at Bettyville, with Sean O’Keeffe and Paul Nolan stealing the show on this occasion, registering a treble and a double respectively.
The pair combined for the success of The Big Clubman (11/2, touch 12s early) in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle.
Almost a year to the day since he finished second in a point-to-point at Tattersalls, the former Denis Murphy-trained five-year-old showed stamina aplenty to claim this extended two-mile heat.
While Parnell Street attempted to make all (13/8 joint-favourite), he couldn’t hold off the DKCR2 Partnership-owned victor on the run-in, with two lengths between them on crossing the line
“Once we hit the rising ground turning in, he was picking up and I thought, going to the last, with a good jump we’d win,” the winning rider remarked. There should be plenty of improvement in him and he is a nice one to look forward to.”
Nolan’s brace
For four-year-olds only, Gin Tonic (7/2 from 5s) completed Nolan’s brace in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle.
Owned by the Browne & Coffey families, the €120,000 Goffs Punchestown Sale purchase led for much of the contest but was joined by market leader Open Secret (2/1favourite) on the approach to the penultimate flight.
While the chesnut victor blundered at the last, the favourite stumbled on the run-in and soon had no more to offer, with a length and three quarters between them at the line.
“He missed the last but got himself back going again quickly and kept going the whole way to the line. I think he’ll come on plenty for this,” winning rider Conor Stone-Walsh reflected.
Foley’s fortune
Cathryns Ruby (28/1) provided O’Keeffe with his second success in the opening division of the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle.
Less than three and a half lengths separated the first six home in this 13-runner contest, with the Pat Foley-trained victor always close to the pace.
Pushed along to lead after two out, the Gerard and Con Berkery-owned eight-year-old maintained her advantage all the way to the line, holding off the late surge of We’llgowats by half a length.
“She ran well in maidens but then disappointed and she’s not the most straightforward filly to train. She has her issues, but when things are right, she’s right,” Foley revealed.
SEAN O’Keeffe, a native of the nearby village of Taghmon, rounded off a memorable afternoon by completing his 1,224/1 three-timer on Morell River (11/2 from 8s) in the second divide of this two-and-a-half-mile heat.
Owned and bred by Brendan and Mary Fitzpatrick, the Colin Bowe-trained five-year-old made good progress to lead before two out and kept finding for pressure in the closing stages, seeing off Roccabaker by two lengths.
“It’s great to get a win on the board with her and we’ll keep her in this company. Hopefully the handicapper will give her a chance,” assistant trainer Brendan Walsh commented.
Confidence boost
Mozzies Sister got a confidence boosting win to her name, as she proved much too good for her three rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle. Placed at the highest level last season, the Declan Queally-trained six-year-old proved easy-to-back, drifting from 4/6 to 7/4.
Moving into contention from three out and skipping clear of Dream On Baby (4/7 favourite) approaching the next, she wasn’t fluent over the last but still sauntered to a 13-length win in the colours of the For The Love Of It Syndicate.
“The plan was to follow Donagh (Meyler, on Dream On Baby). She was quick enough over her hurdles, maybe a bit sticky at times, but she was pretty good overall,” winning rider Alex Harvey reported. “I thought I’d outstay Donagh as it looked a two-horse race on paper. I was happy enough to let her roll on plenty early and it worked out well.”
Narrow success
Another odds-on chance had to settle for the runner-up berth in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race, with Lady Lena (1/3 favourite) narrowly beaten by Ballymoreen (9/2).
Improving to the front with over six-furlongs to go, the Adam Ryan-ridden victor was strongly pressed by the market leader from over a furlong out and after a protracted tussle there was just a head between them on crossing the line, with a further 41 lengths back to the third.
“She’s a dream to ride at home and is a lovely mare to do anything with,” Mark Quigley, who trains the winner for Donal and Kevin Barry, said.
“We knew that there was a big run in her and she pulled it off today, she battled.”
MAINTAINING his perfect record at the venue, Nouvotic justified 3/1 favouritism in the feature Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase.
Tracking the leaders under Darragh O’Keeffe, the Roger Brookhouse-owned six-year-old looked held in second approaching the last, but rallied on the run-in and outstayed Release The Beast, prevailing by a length and three quarters.
“He seems to like it here, that’s his third win at the track,” winning trainer Henry de Bromhead enthused. “Darragh gave him a super ride. Today was the plan so we’ll see from here.”
Patience pays
O’Keeffe and de Bromhead were out of luck with Magic Day (7/2 favourite) in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, as Uhavemeinstitches impressed in this 10-runner heat.
Starting off over fences, the James Motherway-trained five-year-old, who is out of 2010 Irish National winner Bluesea Cracker, was given a patient ride by Mark Walsh.
While Nowwhatdoyouthink blazed a trail out in front, he had no more to offer when headed by the J.P. McManus-owned victor inside the final 100 yards and she eventually came home a length and a half to the good.
“She is a little bit babyish and made one or two novicey mistakes, which I didn’t think she would, but I suppose they were going a good speed and it was her first time over fences,” Motherway explained. “We’ll have to see where she fits in as the season goes on, but she is a nice mare going forward.”