REST OF THE CARD
A SUPERB day for Gordon Elliott, who sadly lost his Troytown winner Balbriggan at Aintree the previous day, concluded with a commanding display by Mala Beach in the two and three-quarter miles beginners’ chase.
The Chris Jones-owned gelding, a dual Grade 2 winner over hurdles, was looking to build on a second to The Tullow Tank at Fairyhouse and he made all the running for Robbie Colgan. There was early drama when the odds on Un Atout walked through the last fence on the first circuit but he remained in the race and was still firmly in touch with three to jump. After this fence though Mala Beach (11/8) began to press on and neither Sumos Novious or Un Atout were able to muster the slightest response. The leader extended his advantage all the way to the line to prevail by some 16 lengths while Un Atout, on his first outing since April 2013, faded to fifth.
“He’s a fair horse and he’ll be even better on softer ground,” remarked Elliott. “He’s in the Topaz Novice Chase at Christmas but I’ll have to talk to Chris. He’s a good staying horse who would be suited by going further and he could be a nice one for the four-miler at Cheltenham.”
A tilt at the Paddy Power Chase is next for Grand Gesture (3/1) following his comeback victory in the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Handicap Chase. A career high rating of 132 was no obstacle to the Alan and Ann Potts-owned gelding who came through to make his challenge after three out.
From early in the straight, the Jonathan Burke-ridden gelding looked to have the edge over Sadler’sflaure whom he defeated by three and a quarter lengths. The third placed Foxrock was the subject of a running and riding enquiry which resulted in jockey Adrian Heskin picking up a one-day suspension. Foxrock was found to have pulled off both his shoes in running and he was slightly lame post race. Heskin was suspended for being in breach of Rule 213 in that he failed to report in the first instance something that may have affected the running of his mount.
“He’s got plenty of class, the trick is getting him to produce it as he’s a real character,” remarked the winning trainer.
As expected the useful Rock The World had little difficulty taking care of his opponents in the CBRE Property Advisors Supporting Kilmacud Crokes Rated Novice Hurdle. The 8/11 chance was dropping down in class following his third to Free Expression in a Navan Grade 2 last month and he had this race in safe keeping when Robbie Power asked him to assert early in the straight. The Michael Buckley-owned gelding crossed the line seven lengths ahead of A Sizing Network.
“Maybe the ground was a little heavy for him the last day and maybe he didn’t totally stay the two and a half miles trip,” reported Jessica Harrington. “He’s a much stronger horse this year and we’ll now look for something at Leopardstown over Christmas.”
The value of the Free Expression form was further endorsed in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle where On Impulse, who chased home that horse at Naas last month, provided Davy Russell with the first leg of a double.
A Thurles bumper winner for Harry Kelly last season, On Impulse (5/2) was having his first start for Ted Walsh and owner Andrew Heffernan and he turned in a likeable display. He already looked to have his rivals covered when going to the front with two to jump and he ran out an easy eight lengths winner over Lean Araig.
“He had a good run at Naas and the winner has since won a graded race so he upheld the form,” reflected Walsh. “He jumped great and if stays right and goes the right way he should make a nice three-mile chaser in time.”
WEIGHT RISE
Russell then followed up on Lite Duties in the two and a half miles Kelly Bradshaw Dalton Supporting Cavan GAA Handicap Hurdle. The Charles Byrnes representative went up 10lb for his success here last month but he more than kept pace with that rise up the weights. The Eamon Casey-owned five-year-old was sent off the 15/8 favourite and he wasted no time seizing control of the race when striking for home well before the final flight. He was already in charge when the chasing Irish Bulletin blundered at the last and he finished with five lengths to spare over the last-named.
“He’ll go for another handicap at Christmas time, possibly at Leopardstown, and he probably appreciated the slightly better ground today,” reflected Byrnes.
After picking up the three graded races at Cork, Willie Mullins added to his tally when Livelovelaugh (4/6) made a successful racecourse debut in the Old House Kill (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. The winning pointer edged ahead for Patrick Mullins at the beginning of the straight but he had to be kept up to his work throughout the last quarter of a mile as Rock N Rhythm and Russian Bill both dug in tenaciously. Livelovelaugh kept that pair at bay though to prevail by a length and a quarter.
“He’s a lazy type and is a staying horse but he’ll probably go for a winners’ bumper next,” commented Mullins, who trains the Beneficial gelding for Susannah Ricci.
Acting Stewards
J. Moloney, M. Hillman, J. Weld, Mrs T.K. Cooper, H. Hynes
Horse To Follow
MIGHTY CONCORDE (J.H. Culloty): This four-year-old son of Arcadio got his career off to a promising start to be beaten less than three lengths into fourth in the bumper won by Livelovelaugh. He should be all the better for this initial experience so there should be more to come from him next time.