LEADING owner Alan Potts was on hand to see his good-looking 2/1 favourite A Sizing Network finally get off the mark over fences at the 16th attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase at Clonmel.
In front from start to finish, the French-bred was wound up by Robbie Power before the last to get the good jump he needed and went away to take Sir Abbot’s measure by two and three-quarter lengths.
The successful trainer, Jessica Harrington, said: “He’s been very consistent and deserved it after being second so many times. He’s always been a super jumper and he’s just got confidence now.
“In Navan five days ago he ran his best race (behind Call The Taxie), because he didn’t give up. He’s getting stronger now, even at eight years of age.”
Bryan Cooper rode his first winner for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud since the change in their riding arrangements was announced aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained Arvico Bleu who oozed class in the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle, despite the handicap of his saddle slipping back after the first hurdle.
Sent to post the 4/9 favourite, the five-year-old took it up off the last bend and duly obliged by two lengths from Settimo Milanese. “It was a good call by Henry to keep him a novice for this year,” said the jockey. “And he had him spot on. He’s massive, so he can only get better and improve from it. He had rock solid form and is a real chaser, so he’s with the right man.”
COOPER SENIOR
Just for good measure, the rider’s father Tom Cooper also struck with Billy De Kid who gave 20-year-old Listowel native Kevin Brouder his second career success in the Tickinor 0-102 Handicap Chase. The 10/1 chance, at the head of affairs from four out, carries the dark green and white colours of the Whitechurch Stud Syndicate and lasted it out when containing the late thrust of Fiddlers Bow by a head.
Wee Tiger was the gambled on favourite in this race but he was a spent force when running out at the second last. He was subsequently reported to be post race normal when examined by the Turf Club veterinary officer.
The colourful owner and trainer combination of Donie Sheahan and Michael Winters stole the show in the opening Laganore Maiden Hurdle confined to four-year-olds with Doldido who was never out of the first three.
Throwing down his challenge to Motcomb Street at the last, the 7/1 chance got up in the shadows of the post to win by half a length under Brian Hayes, with the favourite, Diego Manchego, fading into fifth place.
Sheahan shares ownership of the Oscar gelding with Jimmy Gordon from Churchtown and the evergreen 92-year-old exclaimed: “I’m a very lucky owner.”
Doldido was returning from a 198-day absence and had to survive the added worry of a stewards’ enquiry into possible interference between the second and third horses in the last 100 yards before the winner alright signal was given.
Winters commented: “He’s a well-bred, staying horse. He ran well in Cork in March but, when he came back in, he wasn’t quite right, so we’re relying on the horses to tell us. I’m delighted for Donie and Jimmy who have been with us for years.”
EASY WINNER
Despite his trainer Matthew Smith’s reservations about the ground (officially soft, yielding in places), Prince Garyantle was an easy 23-length winner of the Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle for Andrew Lynch and the four-member Home & Dry Syndicate from Dunboyne. The favourite Moroval was pulled up at an early stage.
Said Smith of his 10/1 shot (€14.40 on the Tote): “I was expecting him to run a big race, but I was a bit worried about the ground because I haven’t run him on that ground before, but it was not a bother to him.
“He had a wind op and it seems to have worked. he’ll go over fences next year.”
Ruby Walsh gave the Three Locks Syndicate’s 9/4 favourite Small World a vintage drive to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 80-109 Handicap Hurdle when clinching the half-length verdict in the final 50 yards at the expense of Chance It.
Trainer Peter Fahey commented: “He’s a hardy horse who’s actually improving the whole time, the more runs we give him. Ruby gave him a serious ride, but he said if they’d gone quicker, it would have suited him better.
“He’s tough and we’ll stay tipping away in these type of races until the ground gets heavy.”
Patrick Mullins and his father Willie teamed up for a 6/1 victory through Bgc Racing’s Itsonlyrocknroll (6/1) who hugged the stands rail throughout in the Clonmel INH Flat Race and pulled out that bit extra in the closing stages to defeat market leader Rakhine State by two lengths.
The winning pilot reflected: “He’s a big horse and we’ve been minding him but, when he got beaten twice, we just trained him harder.
“We’ve just been training him wrong and, at last, he’s starting to do on the track what he does at home.”
Flanagan banned
SEAN Flanagan was suspended for two race days for weighing in 1.7lbs overweight on Ned’s Island in the third race.
Acting Stewards
P.F. Ronan, M.J. Murphy, Mrs F. Ward, L. Walsh.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
MOTCOMB STREET (J. J. Hanlon) Having pulled hard early, he jumped well in the maiden hurdle and is going the right way. Could really come into his own over fences.