STILL on a high after their Punchestown win with Dawn Shadow, Dot Love and her assistant Ciaran Murphy struck in the featured Breaffy House Resort Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe with Newsworthy.
The top-weight didn’t go unsupported at odds of 12/1, and Simon Cavanagh soon had him tracking the leaders through this near two and a half-miler.
In the colours of his father Richard, Cavanagh got his mount to the front after two out on the way to a length and a half and a neck win over well-backed favourite Spancil Hill, and Tongie. Not surprisingly, Cavanagh, now with four successes to his name on the racecourse proper, is keen to maintain his partnership with Newsworthy.
He hadn’t been aboard when the Presenting gelding ran at the Aintree and Punchestown festivals. Well-bought for £8,000 last year, the eight-year-old could give connections another big day out in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July.
VICTORY
Fence two, normally the second last, was omitted due to ground conditions, but doubtless Robin Des Foret (1/2) would have coped with it as proficiently as he did the others in the Supermac’s Beginners Chase.
The Byerley Racing Syndicate’s chasing newcomer took over three out for Paul Townend. He jumped left at the last but he wasn’t extended for a 17-length verdict over Mighty Stowaway.
Thankfully Last Encounter eventually got to his feet after coming down at the last when in a moderate second place.
Willie Mullins trains Robin Des Foret and both horses he sent to Ballinrobe prevailed. Townend suggested that this odds-on victor should provide his owners with plenty of fun.
Half-an-hour later and the Mullins brace was complete. Patrick Mullins gave Andrea and Graham Wylie’s Vent D’automne (9/4 second favourite) a power-packed drive to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the Connaught Telegraph INH Flat Race.
After Castlebrook (5/2 third market-choice) saw off favourite Valdieu, it seemed like he was almost there with his front-running attempt.
Try as he might he couldn’t contain Vent D’Automne though, and the Mullins runner got there close home to oblige by half a length.
“The track probably didn’t really suit. We went slow and he was just in my hands,” reported the successful pilot.
“He’s a real stayer. I’d say soft ground and a trip on a galloping track will see him at his best. It was a good race. I rode the second horse before and I think he’s a right horse. I’d say that race could work out very well.”
SUSPENSION
Mullins picked up a three-day whip ban. Castlebrook’s jockey Eoin O’Brien was sanctioned for five days, also for the stick.
Owners and breeders Pat and Tilly Conway were on hand to see their Avellino completely live up to her pre-race billing as a 2/7 shot for the Mayo Day Maiden Hurdle.Mark Enright was aboard and Dermot McLoughlin’s charge very easily saw off Warrior Assassin and the rest by 18 lengths and more.
“There’s a grand race for her – 0 to 130 fillies only – in about three or four weeks back here, that could suit next,” revealed McLoughlin.
Donagh Meyler used his whip when his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone on 10th-placer Sherryorport. He incurred a three-day suspension.
Towards the other end of the scale price-wise, Shantelle sprung a 28/1 shock in the FBD Handicap Hurdle. We had an all Kilkenny finish in this 80 to 95 rated race, as Katie O’Farrell on Shantelle upstaged Mag and Danny Mullins’ Getaway Rose by six lengths.
MAIDEN TAG
Having began in the summer of 2015, Shantelle was here shedding her maiden tag at the 19th time of asking and Gowran handler Dick Donohoe deflected praise on his owners and jockey afterwards.
He revealed: “Katie was right. She said to step her up in trip and that she’d be better.
“John and Alison Kennedy are the owners and I’ve been friends with John since our school days in Carlow so I’m really delighted for them. They were brave to keep going with her and it’s great to see them rewarded.”
Favourite Cappuccino Man eventually pulled up here and Barry Browne said his mount stopped very quickly. The horse was found to be blowing hard post-race.
Successful trainer and jockey Denis Hogan was also thinking of the owner after Hugo ‘N Taz (6/4) slammed the favourite Touch Base (evens) by 10 lengths in the Costello & McDermott Maiden Hurdle.
Hugo ‘N Taz came out of a Kilbeggan second-placing from the night before to make most for a convincing win.
“It’s unfortunate Liam (Mulryan, owner) couldn’t be here. He’s based out in Portugal now and had to go back last night,” Hogan explained.
“He was here for the Kilbeggan run and he told me if the horse was fit and well this morning to drive on and try and get this prize.”
Coming out on to the track for the Paddy Smyth Memorial Handicap Hurdle Muroor (20s early into 8/1) caught a rail and jockey Andrew Lynch said his mount showed no interest thereafter.
He had a small superficial wound to his left fore cannon when examined post race after pulling up.
Following on from this incident, the stewards referred the matter to the IHRB CEO to address the concerns of the interested parties.
FIRST-TIMER
At the business end, handicap first-timer Roxboro Road (7/1) defeated Accordion Twilight (9/2 favourite) more convincingly than the one-length margin would suggest. Mark Walsh rode the winner for J.P. McManus and Ted Walsh.
Roxboro Road was bred by McManus’ wife Noreen, and Walsh commented: “He’s only five and he might improve and make a chaser. He’s a full-brother to Any Second Now but he’s not as good as him.”
Acting Stewards
T. McDonogh, A. Ryan, D.H. Gavin, N. Rooney and M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CASTLEBROOK (J.J. Mangan): The son of Oscar seemed to get his career back on track after flopping at odds-on at Thurles in February. His bumper second-placing was a good effort.