REST OF THE CARD
A QUALITY weight carrying performance from Avant Tout in the €100,000 EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase already had Willie Mullins contemplating a crack at some high profile targets later this year. The Supreme Horse Racing Club and Brett Graham-owned gelding started off over fences in the relatively humble surroundings of a Tramore beginners’ chase last summer. Since then though he has won and been placed at Grade 2 level while he really caught the eye when charging home in the closing stages of last month’s Coral Cup.
For his latest assignment Avant Tout found himself carrying top weight and looking to defy a mark of 145 but the progress that began when he won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year remained unchecked.
A patient Paul Townend had to bide his time on the 11/2 shot but the pair were conspicuous by the ease with which they moved into contention turning for home. Avant Tout made a slight mistake two out and that did cost him some momentum but he had any amount left in reserve and quickly cut down the game front runner Mr Diablo on the run in. Avant Tout finished with two and three quarter lengths to spare and Pairofbrowneyes was the same distance back in third. The favourite Marlbrook was pulled up quickly after clouting the first fence.
“On that performance you’d think that he might be one for a Galway Plate but after that he’s going to be rated in the 150’s,” reflected Willie Mullins. “The other option is the Hennessy at Newbury in November. There was a lot of crowding there and a lot of hustle and bustle and Paul said he nearly got wiped out at the third last but that sort of hustle and bustle will do him good for those good handicaps.”
Owner J.P. McManus has enjoyed a fantastic festival and had two more winners at the end of the card, headed by the era's outstanding hunter chaser On The Fringe.
Sent off the 4/5 favourite to win the Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase for a fifth time, the Enda Bolger-trained 11-year-old was always going well under Nina Carberry and went for home from the third last. Cheltenham runner-up Marito kept the pressure on right to the line but was two lengths passing the post.
After some enthusiastic celebrations in the saddle, the jockey said: "He's some horse, he's just unbelievable. He's all heart and Enda had him in some form. He's a horse of a lifetime. He's the people's horse."
The McManus silks had earlier been carried to victory by the Philip Hobbs-trained No Comment (7/2) who wore down the brave Monalee (14/1) in the Racing FX INH Flat Race. Jamie Codd did the steering on the successful son of Kayf Tara.
Definite Ruby (8/1) picked an opportune time to strike for the first time since landing a Downpatrick beginners’ chase in September 2014 as she bagged the valuable Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase. A fourth winner of the meeting for Gordon Elliott, the 8/1 chance became involved in a protracted struggle for victory with Cresswell Breeze and Emily Gray nearing the straight. It was only at the last fence that Definite Ruby began to get on top and she kept on tenaciously in the closing stages to hold Padraig’s Joy by half a length.
“She’d a nice light weight and the drying ground helped and I have to say that Jack gave her a very good ride,” commented Elliott who trains the eight-year-old for James Power. “She’s now won a Grade C chase so she has her job done but we’ll keep her going.”
After a week that has featured victories and honorable efforts from such festival stalwarts as Shamiran and Uncle Junior, the standing dish that is Shin A Vee notched up a third win in the KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup. The remarkable 13-year-old first won this race as a 50/1 chance in 2009 and then regained his crown last year.
Absent since then, the 2/1 favourite was once again produced in terrific shape by Denis Cullen for his annual target. Shin A Vee was kept close to the pace by regular jockey Johnny Barry and the pair drew on from Tuesday’s Ladies Cup second, Enniskillen, in the closing stages to score by five and a half lengths.
“It’s great to win it again. I’m based just five minutes away and Martin (Kennelly, owner’s husband) is just a couple of minutes further so it’s a real local success,” commented Cullen.
“He was a year older this time and was carrying a penalty but he’s come back in better nick this year. His training has gone well and he was really up for it. This is his aim each year and hopefully we might be back again next year.”
Koshari (7/4) became the latest French import to make a winning Irish debut for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci when taking the Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle. Ridden by Paul Townend, the Walk In The Park four-year-old got the better of stable companion Bello Conti by a length and a half.
Acting Stewards
M. Hickey, P. McLernon, Mrs. M. Cosgrave, Ms. C O’Mahony, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
PHIL’S MAGIC (Ms. S. Hughes): This gelding has yet to win over fences but there was plenty of promise in his sixth to Avant Tout where he was beaten less than 10 lengths. A first chasing success won’t be long in coming his way.