GORDON Elliott ran riot with a near 1,100/1 four-timer that was completed by a back-to-form Minella Till Dawn in the MansionBet Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Chase where the eight-year-old showed some signs of recapturing the promise of his formative years.
All the way back in December 2016, Minella Till Dawn (5/1) won a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle where his vanquished opponents included Al Boum Photo. However, the J.P. McManus-owned eight-year-old had been without a win since then and this was his third run back from a near two-year absence from the track.
At Navan last month, Elliott’s charge was unable to justify favouritism having been well held when falling at the last, but in first-time blinkers it was all change here as he looked to be bossing this event from some way out. Mark Walsh’s mount asserted from early in the straight to pull 13 lengths clear of his rivals and he could yet have a part to play in a decent contest before the end of the season.
“He’s had his problems and it’s just nice to see some of his old ability is still there,” said Elliott. The blinkers woke him up and maybe he could now win another one.”
Opponents
The four-timer began with Texard outclassing his opponents in the two-mile rated novice hurdle. The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned son of Kapgarde had shown ability on his first two Irish runs but looked to take a step forward as he switched to front-running tactics for Jack Kennedy.
Carrigmoorna Pine looked a big threat when he came down two out when apparently full of running and his departure allowed Texard (11/4) to coast home by eight and a half lengths from the Leopardstown winner Fauguernon.
“He’s not a bad horse and might be one for a good handicap at some stage but we’ll keep it small with him for the moment,” reported the trainer.
Also likely to have a low-key campaign for the time being is the imposing Escaria Ten who made it third time lucky on the track in the MansionBet Faller Insurance Maiden Hurdle over three miles.
On his first outing in the McNeill family colours, this six-year-old was a 15/8 favourite to build on a good third in a Fairyhouse maiden won by Diol Ker two months ago.
Adrian Heskin travelled over from Britain to ride the six-year-old and the pair looked to be in control everywhere apart from just after the last where a ponderous jump gave a rallying Atlantic Shore another shot.
Escaria Ten gathered himself to assert once more and he was value for more than the three-quarter-length winning margin. A winners’ event later in the season will be next for this gelding who looks a nice staying prospect for the coming seasons.
THERE was a fair element of luck involved with Elliott’s other winner as Belfast Banter seemed certain to win the two-mile maiden hurdle only to crash out at the second last.
This left the Jack Kennedy-ridden Recent Revelations (16/1) in front.
The Half Married Syndicate-owned four-year-old went on to defeat The Little Yank by eight lengths.
After starting off over hurdles with a couple of fairly abject efforts this gelding is starting to progress and he has Cheltenham’s Fred Winter as his aim.
Lotus another smart one for the Lalors
THE card concluded with a dominant display from Carrigeen Lotus (6/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race. She was a 66/1 chance when second to the potentially top-class Castra Vetera at Fairyhouse last month and here she ground these opponents into submission from the front.
The daughter of Jeremy, who is trained by Dick Lalor for his wife Anne and was ridden by their daughter Liz, finished with eight and a half lengths to spare over the favourite The West Awaits. This mare comes from the family of Rogue Angel and Chicago Grey.
Mark Walsh was also successful on Morosini (9/4) in the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle for J.P. McManus.
Jessica Harrington’s charge was a fine second to Top Moon in a good handicap over this course and distance two months ago and here he defeated Hareth by half a dozen lengths after striking the front with three to jump.
Joseph O’Brien’s imperious run of form continued as Deilginis landed the two-and-a-half-mile MansionBet Beginners Chase for horses rated 102 or less over hurdles.
The Martin O’Sullivan-owned daughter of Flemensfirth, swept to the front for J.J. Slevin after two out and went on to defeat Shakeytry by three and three-quarter lengths. The well backed 5/1 shot could do better for a step up to three miles.