WITH Ruby Walsh on duty for Willie Mullins at Punchestown last Sunday, the ever-reliable former champion Paul Townend came in for the mounts on hurdling debutants Bleu Et Rouge and Bellshill at Cork.
Both horses acquitted themselves well at cramped odds and the J.P. McManus-owned 8/15 favourite Bleu Et Rouge was the first to strike in the two-mile www.racinghomeforeaster.com Maiden Hurdle, a contest confined to four-year-olds that the trainer was winning for the fourth year in succession.
Runner-up on his previous two outings in his native France, the grey son of Charming Groom was never out of the first two and less than fluent in the early stages but warmed to his task. Despite missing the last he was pushed out from the final flight to beat the long-time leader Madfuninthewest by two lengths on his Irish bow. The duo pulled 20 lengths clear of the third horse Bel Ami De Sivola.
Townend reported: “He will come on a lot from the run fitness and experience-wise. He’s a nice horse for the future. I was always going to keep it simple but it’s hard work out there on that dead ground.”
The locally-born rider followed up with a facile victory aboard Andrea and Graham Wylie’s Grade 1 champion bumper scorer Bellshill in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. Close to the pace throughout in this two-mile event, the 2/7 favourite eased his way to the front before the last hurdle and came home on a tight rein nine lengths clear of Hurry Henry.
Mullins took the same race last year with Black Hercules and Bellshill looks to be in the same mould. Townend observed: “Like the first lad, he’ll come on a lot for the run and I think he’ll go further in time. I don’t think any horse will appreciate the ground today (officially heavy) but he handled it well and it’s a nice start for him.”
Bandon-based restricted trainer Joe Dullea is eyeing the valuable BoyleSports Hurdle at Leopardstown in January for his good money-spinner Damut who completed a four-timer in the €30,000 Ticket Sales Online Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Andrew Lynch, the steady 5/1 chance was sent about it business at the third last and drew clear from the next. Clearing the last big and bold he went away to slam Federici by 12 lengths in the colours of his Doneraile owner-breeder Edmond Cogan.
“He was very impressive there and seems to be improving,” said Dullea. “He surprised me the way he won and we’ll look for something for him around Christmas time. He’s very versatile as regards ground and trip as well and nothing seems to bother him. We’ll have to look at the BoyleSports Hurdle now.”
THREE HORSES
All About Alfie is one of just three horses his owner/trainer Tom Donohue has in his Co Carlow yard and the seven-year-old came up trumps for him at odds of 14/1 when getting on top under Bryan Hayes in the closing stages of the Follow Us On Facebook 80-109 Handicap Hurdle for a half length win over Analyse That.
A delighted Donohue confessed: “I was a little bit worried about the ground but he did win here before in bad ground. He’ll go for another handicap.”
Neighbouring Bagenalstown trainer Tom Foley, who sent out All About Alfie to win three races on the flat, had his moment in the limelight following Toushan’s gritty display in the two-mile and five furlongs INH Stallion Owners EBF Beginners Chase.
Nickname Exit was a length up on his rival at the final obstacle but Roger Loughran’s mount stuck with him all the way to the line, prompting judge David Maher to call a photo-finish.
The bookmakers were favouring Nickname Exit to come out on the right side of the photo but the result went the way of the 6/4 favourite Toushan who clinched it by a nose on the far side in the capable hands of Roger Loughran.
This dual winner, who was getting off the mark over fences at the third attempt, was home-bred in Goresbridge by Michael O’Dowd and has had his share of problems. Foley admitted: “His dam had lots of ability and he’s her first foal but I told the owner to stop wasting his money until Ger Kelly, the vet from Fethard, got him right.
“I thought we were beaten today but Roger said when he hit the front he just idled a bit. Coming here I said he wouldn’t get the trip and thought the other fellow would out-stay him. That’s only his third run over fences but he’s a very quick learner and as long as the ground stays soft he’ll keep going.”
Jockey Mikey Fogarty combined with Wexford trainer Lar Byrne to register a one and three quarters of a length win with market leader Pairofbrowneyes in the Christmas Party Raceday December 6th Handicap Chase.
The 5/4 favourite, formerly trained by Liz Doyle, is owned by the four-member Fibbage Syndicate from Cork city and their pilot said: “He was entitled to do that on his hurdles form last year. He’s a great jumper and it’s great to get the win.”
BUMPER STARTS
Steve Mahon saddled Champagne Harmony, with Finny Maguire in the saddle, to make it two wins from the same number of bumper starts when holding the effort of the fast-finishing Commeragh Trix, whose rider later reported that his mount hung left in the straight, by a head. The front-running favourite Lieutenant faded into fourth place.
The 7/1 shot races in the colours of the trainer’s loyal Kilcolgan, Co Galway owner Tom Quinn and Mahon commented: “I bought him from Thomond O’Mara and he’s a big baby. I was very worried about the ground and the owner had to twist my arm in coming here today because chasing is his game. He’s schooled over fences and I can’t wait to get him jumping.”
Acting Stewards
Ms J. Farrell, S. McDonogh, J. McGuire, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
BEL AMI DE SIVOLA (N. Meade): He stepped up on his sixth placing in a valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse last April to take third place behind Bleu Et Rouge and he can only improve.