AS was the case 12 months ago, racing at Bettyville failed to capitalise on the large numbers visiting for the Fleadh Cheoil, with a modest crowd in attendance.
The Traynors Of Wexford Handicap Chase was the feature on this midweek programme and, for the second year in a row, it went the way of the Padraig Roche-trained Outside The Door (11/2). Despite jumping left at times, he made all under Peter Smithers and increased his advantage from early in the straight, coasting to a 12-length win.
“He seemed to like it (out in front) and that’s his third win here now, so he enjoys this place. The further the better for him,” Roche said of the Hold Firm Syndicate-owned bay. “I’d say if he gets in at the bottom for the Kerry National, he’ll give it a go.”
Clear-cut
Providing Co Down trainer Ross Tumilty with a second track win, Custers Mistake (6/1) also proved far superior to the opposition in the Fleadh Cheoil Wexford Handicap Hurdle.
Tracking the leaders on the outer under Dara McGill, he improved to dispute the lead after the third last and gained an outright advantage approaching the straight. Soon clear, he eased to a nine-and-a-half-length win in the colours of Brendan McNeill.
“He’ll probably get a bit of a hike for that,” Tumilty, who predominately works as a farrier, reflected. “I just got my flat licence granted and I might try him on the flat as he is bred for it.
“Leah Knight and Michael Dobbs have been a massive help to me, as they run the yard (Danescroft Equestrian Centre) I work out of.”
SHOWING no signs of jetlag after arriving home from Australia earlier in the day, Sean Flanagan registered a 152/1 double, which he initiated on Ashdale Flyer (33/1) in the incident-packed Treo Eile Beginners Chase. The Jessica Harrington-trained six-year-old was hampered at the third by the fall of HMS Seahorse (2/1 favourite), who subsequently proved troublesome when running loose. Narrowly avoiding the leaders approaching the straight, he badly impeded Speculatrix on the run to two out. The Diarmuid Horgan-owned victor avoided that drama and chased down West Away on the run-in, with a length between them at the line.
“I got back at twenty-past 12 today and it was a good experience, I loved it,” Flanagan, who finished fourth in the Australian Grand National Hurdle on Sunday, remarked.
He added: “The loose horse probably interfered with the two in front more than he did me and I was the stronger finisher anyway.”
Listowel next
The toast of his many local supporters, Flanagan completed his brace on Bynx (7/2) in the Ladies’ Day 29th August Handicap Chase over two miles. The Martin Hassett-trained victor raced mainly in second on what was her third try over the larger obstacles and jumped to the front four out. Briefly joined, she regained the lead approaching the straight and went on again before the last to win by seven lengths.
“Sean rode her the last day and just said she’s awesome to jump,” Hassett enthused. “She is tough and genuine and we’ll go to Listowel with her now.”
O’Brien enjoys change of luck
HIT with a 14-day ban at Roscommon the previous evening, Patrick O’Brien silenced any critics by guiding Finnians Row to a narrow win in the Tote Handicap Chase.
The promising conditional bounced back in style on this Dermot McLoughlin-trained nine-year-old and, after racing mainly in second, the 8/1 chance was ridden from two out. Leading narrowly away from the last, he held off the late effort of Birdsandthebees by a short head, with Peter Smithers dropping his whip early on the run-in aboard this fast-finishing bay.
“He ran well the last day here over two miles and the step up in trip helped today,” McLoughlin reflected. “He is owned by two ladies (Anne McCartan and Frances Smyth) from Tyrone and they are not here today unfortunately.”
Ben Harvey was later found to have used his whip with excessive frequency aboard the fifth-placed Jumping Susie and, as it was his third offence in this regard, he was handed an eight-day ban.
Goulding back in front
It was more clear-cut for Abel Mabel in the opening Wexford Fillies Maiden Hurdle, with this petite bay providing Arthur Goulding with his first success in almost 12 years. Racing prominently under Niall Moore, the 3/1 chance (from 9/2) was headed from the third and improved into a share of the lead on the run to the penultimate obstacle. Soon gaining a narrow lead, she increased her advantage on the run-in and came home two and three-quarters of a length clear of Riverwoods.
“I let my licence lapse for a few years and I took it back out there around two years ago,” Goulding, who trains the winner for his father Patrick, revealed. “She is only 15 hands, but is a dinger to jump.”
In-form combination
The concluding Racing Again 8th August Fillies INH Flat Race saw Beir Bua justify 2/1 favouritism (from 4s early) in this 11-runner contest. A fifth bumper winner in as many weeks for Adam Ryan and Andy Slattery, the Berkshire bay made all in the colours of Kenneth Keogh.
While she appeared set for a convincing win approaching the straight, she ran around when ridden from the furlong pole and briefly looked vulnerable, but went on again close home to beat newcomer Mahon Falls by two and a quarter lengths.