TRAINER Tom Taaffe saddled Fitri Hay’s 9/2 chance Gold Bullet to take Thursday’s Clonmel feature, the Suir Valley Chase in the capable hands of Andrew Lynch.
The grey took over from the pace-setting Baily Green before the last and had two and a half lengths to spare at the finish, with the favourite Make A Track trailing in last.
“I’m delighted for that horse,” said the trainer. “He just didn’t stay in Cheltenham (in the Kim Muir) where he knew he had a race and hopefully he’ll come on from it again. He jumps and travels well and little apples will do us at the moment. He’ll probably go to Punchestown for one of the handicaps - our options are open but he won’t go on quick ground.”
Champion jockey Ruby Walsh has a strong following at Clonmel and rarely leaves the course empty-handed. Together with Willie Mullins, he collected in the Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle with Gigginstown House Stud’s 8/11 favourite Nickname Exit.
The French-bred five-year-old was on the heels of the leaders throughout and quickened up well from the final flight on his hurdling debut, going on to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Master Appeal. Walsh observed: “He jumps anyway and that made the difference to him.”
Mullins, who doubled up courtesy of newcomer Myska in the mares bumper, added: “We’ll stick to jumping with him and up him in trip now. I might even go novice chasing with him when the new season comes in.”
Stable-companion Myska is another useful addition to the Supreme Horse Racing Club’s team and the newcomer really impressed with the manner of her victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Rider Patrick Mullins elected to track the leading group on the half-sister to Daring Carlotta and set her alight at the furlong pole.
Lengthening right away, the 4/6 favourite was untroubled to collect by four and a quarter lengths from Miss Dinamic.
The club’s blue and white starred scarves were held aloft in triumph as Myska returned to the number one spot and her trainer enthused: “She’s a lovely filly and no slouch.
“She has a good pedigree and had been showing me everything at home. She has a bit of size and scope about her and I think she’ll be better for better ground. She’s in the mares’ bumper at Punchestown and I think that will be her next port of call.”
Jonathan Burke picked up the winning spare on Deano, from the Mary Louise Hallahan yard, in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase when deputising for Mikey Fogarty who was concussed and suffered a knee injury when his mount was brought down in the previous race.
With the eight-year-old’s regular rider Davy Russell also on the sidelines Burke made the most of the opportunity to guide the 3/1 chance, owned and bred by the Cork trainer’s father Con, to a deserving 12-length win over market leader The Herds Garden.
Hallahan commented: “It’s just a pity for Mikey, and Davy as well but hopefully they’re both on the mend. The horse jumped great but if the ground goes too quick I’ll leave him off. We’ll see what’s coming up in the next couple of weeks and he might go for a winner’s of one. It all depends on the ground and the weather.”
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Mallards In Flight, with Paul Carberry in the saddle, put herself in line for a quick follow-up in a two-mile, six-furlong handicap at Fairyhouse on Monday after carrying the yellow and dark green colours of her Ratherny, Co. Westmeath owner Tom Geoghegan to a cosy success in the Happy Easter To All Our Patrons 0-109 Handicap Chase.
The 11/2 winner held the effort of the favourite Five O’Clock Tea by one and a half lengths, after which Cromwell remarked: “She jumps for fun and Paul loves riding her. She’s as genuine as they come.”
Jo Go is another tough cookie who came from a long way off the pace under Davy Condon to get her turn in the three-mile Holy Thursday 80-109 Handicap Hurdle.
The 20/1 outsider completed a clean sweep for the bookmakers when driven out to beat Binowagh Bay by two lengths, with the ‘jolly’ The Grey Guy back in fifth place.
Owner/trainer Cathy O’Leary said before leading her pride and joy away to the vet’s box: “She’s small but she has a big heart and that’s her thing.” Her jockey commented: “She had a couple of runs in heavy ground but today was the first time she got her ground and it suited her. She’ll be a good fun mare for the summer.”
The opening Ardinnan Maiden Hurdle went to Terence O’Brien’s runner Knockrea who took command for Adrian Heskin after the last to break his duck by two and a quarter lengths from Tongie. Robin Des People headed the betting but faded into seventh place behind the market’s 9/2 second choice and was found to have made a respiratory noise. The eight-year-old winner is jointly owned by London-based Des English and Sean Leahy from Mallow and is another one ear-marked for a handicap at Punchestown.
O’Brien stated: “He was the form horse in the race if he could put it together but always found something to beat him last year. We tried to get a point-to-point win out of him after that to give him confidence but that didn’t work out either.”
ACTING STEWARDS:
S. McDonogh, A.J. Molloy, M. Murphy, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
SILENT WISH (John O’Callaghan): Successful between the flags at Boulta, she finished well to take third place in the maiden hurdle won by Knockrea. It was an eye-catching run and one she should be able to build upon.