REST OF THE CARD

THE evergreen 14-year-old Shin A Vee was bidding for a remarkable fourth win in the opening KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup but this time he had to settle for second behind the well-backed Das Mooser (5/1).

A first winner at the meeting for trainer Mark Fahey, this Definite Article mare was making her first appearance since landing a Ballingarry point-to-point last June.

On her racecourse debut Das Mooser turned in a superb round of jumping under Richie Deegan and the pair had their rivals well strung out before the straight. Shin A Vee turned in a valiant effort on his seventh appearance in the race but this time he went down by eight lengths as the leader maintained an unfaltering tempo in the straight.

“After she won her point she had a few little problems which we ironed out and when she came back in this fitted in nicely,” commented Fahey, who trains the six-year-old for Louise Quinn. “She’s a fantastic jumper and that’s her way of racing. Johnny King has done a lot of schooling with her she would have been his ride but he’s out injured at the moment.”

OPERA ON SONG

Jessica Harrington’s uncanny ability to target the €100,000 EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase was yet again in evidence as Woodland Opera duly fulfilled a long term goal with aplomb.

A fifth winner of the race for Mrs Harrington in the last 12 years, Woodland Opera (11/4) looked tailor made for this race when bolting up in a Fairyhouse beginners’ chase at the start of the month. This Grade A handicap represented a tougher assignment but the sure footed seven-year-old, who carries the colours of Valerie Cooper, was quite at home at all stages.

Man of the moment Robbie Power produced the son of Robin Des Champs to make his bid for glory turning into the straight. Once he found himself in front Woodland Opera dealt with those around him and he contained the staying-on Arbre De Vie by three-quarters of a length.

“He was the one I really fancied all week,” exclaimed the delighted winning trainer. “On soft ground this two miles, five furlongs would find him out but on better ground he gets this trip. He did make a mistake four out but he was foot perfect otherwise.

“He had another wind operation during the season but I haven’t looked beyond today so we’ll see about plans. There’s a great story behind this horse and it is remarkable to think he’s the only one of Opera Hat’s offspring to have won a race,” added Mrs Harrington.

RUBY GLOWS

In her trainer’s hour of need Gordon Elliott’s Definite Ruby came good again at the most opportune of times as she made it back-to-back wins in the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase. The 7/1 shot was just 4lb higher than when taking this race in 2016 and she raced handily throughout for Jack Kennedy in this well endowed €75,000 contest.

The strong-travelling nine-year-old then struck for home off the last bend and kept on resolutely from the second last to finish with a length and three-quarters to spare over the favourite Slowmotion.

“She’s a lovely mare and it’s great to win here again. Jim Power and his wife have been very patient with her and were happy to come back again with her and they’ve been rewarded which is super,” stated Elliott. “Last time out she did run very well in the Ulster National but she just didn’t get home having looked a likely winner.”

“Whatever happens through the rest of today and tomorrow we’ve had a great season but it was important to get one on the board today,” added the trainer of his enthralling battle for championship honours with Willie Mullins.

Incredibly Patrick Mullins fired in a third winner of the day in the card’s penultimate event as Montalbano pulled victory out of the fire in the Donohoe Marquees Novice Hurdle.

The rider started the day five behind Jamie Codd in the amateur riders’ title but narrowed the gap to just two with this triumph which looked most unlikely when stablemate Riven Light moved on before the final flight. At this point the free wheeling Montalbano looked held but Mullins somehow conjured a renewed charge from his mount to get back up late on.