STUART Crawford’s Glenquest, who was narrowly beaten into third in the Welsh Grand National, made no mistake back on Irish terrain as he galloped clear to land the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Down Royal.
The 12-year-old earned plenty of plaudits for his valiant effort in Chepstow over Christmas when only collared close home.
The Coolglen Syndicate can expect more trips across the Irish Sea as Crawford said: “The original plan was to run last week over hurdles and then go to Haydock [for the Betfred Grand National Trial].
“We’ll leave that alone and aim him at the Eider Chase in Newcastle if he’s okay. The weights for the Aintree Grand National come out tomorrow, but I don’t think he’ll get in. I still have the Scottish National as his long-term target.”
Andrew Lynch steered the 4/1 shot into the lead after the fifth hurdle and his stamina came into play as he put five lengths on runner-up Seriatim.
Lynch commented: “He was the class horse in the race. All he had to do was replicate his run in Chepstow. He did it well.”
This was a tonic for Crawford who suffered a broken leg in his yard last week.
Another northern handler, Ian Ferguson, made a visit to the winner’s enclosure with Keep On Track (7/1) who delivered in the two mile handicap chase for owner Bill Porter.
His task was made easier as Araglen Lad, the favourite Five O’clock Tea and Heavenly Brook all crashed out of contention four out, however, he stayed on well for a three and a half-length victory.
This was Keep On Track’s first run for Ferguson who was quick to praise the gelding’s former trainer.
He said: “We are finding out about him as he came to me recently. Enda Bolger has all his schooling done, credit to him. He was well tutored and schooled.
“Enda told me he likes fast ground and banks courses. This was a finding out exercise. His jumping told; he loves jumping. I told Liam (McKenna) to be positive with him. He’s a big, healthy horse. A banks race at Punchestown in May is the target. He’s been placed there before.”
John Burke’s Aurora Bell (6/1) kept on best to take the spoils in the three mile handicap chase with his brother Martin on board. Katnap rallied once headed by the winner, but was still a length and three parts in arrears at the line.
Burke was represented by his father Paddy who said: “We’ll play it by ear and look for another handicap for him. He seems to be a fairly good horse. He jumped very well.
“He’s cute and he’s improving. We’ll go another step with him. We only train four horses. We break a lot of horses; we would have 10 or 12 breakers all the time.”
The winner carried the Dunguib colours and part-owner Daniel Harnett, who made the journey up from Tipperary, commented: “We were very confident today.
“The handicapper gave him 110 after his run behind Prince De Beauchene and we were pleased with that. He’s a full-brother to Vesper Bell who is an out-and-out stayer. We’ll try to get into the big handicaps with him off a light weight.”
Just four of the eight runners completed the two and a half mile trip in the Rodney Watson Memorial Beginners Chase as Rocky Wednesday was left clear to score for Gordon Elliott and Davy Condon at 11/2.
Elliott said of the Gigginstown House Stud winner: “He’s a bit of a monkey, but he got his head in front. On his hurdles form he was entitled to win. Davy gave him a great ride. He’s a very good rider.
“I rode a few winners for Rodney Watson so it is nice to win this race. He was a gentleman and a great point-to-point man which I was brought up in.”
There was a thrilling finish to the maiden hurdle as Liz Doyle’s After Aspen (25/1) prevailed by a short-head from 100/1 shot Tearaway Queen who finished very strongly.
It was a welcome boost for Doyle who lost Le Vent D’Antan at Leopardstown last Sunday. She said: “I felt like I’m coming up for air a bit, it has been a rotten couple of days. Kauto Grand Mogol had his palate done this morning.
“With the 8lb allowance for non-winners and being a bit fitter I thought he had half a squeak.
“He was only a length down jumping the second last the last day and he needed it. He battled really well and he’ll get further. Hopefully he has a future of some sort. He’s a sound horse and he’s for sale.
“My late father owned him. That’s the first winner I’ve had in his colours since he died about three months ago. Somebody owed me that today!”
Shabra’s Bertolini and Jonathan Moore refused to be passed and justified 9/4 favouritism for Anthony McCann and Rita Shah in the novice handicap hurdle.
McCann said: “He was very unfortunate the last two starts. He was boxed in at Naas and Fairyhouse. In Naas he didn’t get a race. When he came back in he wasn’t even blowing. He’s not a bad wee horse and he’s improving with every run.
“Oliver (Brady) said to me last year he won’t be a horse til next year and he’s living up to his word. It’s a sad day loading the horsebox and going racing without him.”
Edward O’Grady’s newcomer The West’s Awake, with Nina Carberry booked, was supported down to even money for the bumper, but it was Shark Hanlon’s Cape City Boy who proved too strong in the final furlong. Finny Maguire booted home the son of Cape Cross by eight lengths at 4/1.
Hanlon said: “He’s 17 hands; he’s a huge big baby. I might give him one more run. He was probably unlucky in Naas. I sold him to Barry (Connell) after that run. He was green there and hasn’t galloped much on grass.
“He did it well and there was 20 lengths back to the third. He has a big future and he’s a chaser down the road in a couple of years.”
ACTING STEWARDS
C. Magnier, J.F. Gillespie, Mrs C. O’Neill, F.G. Fitzsimmons, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
TEARAWAY QUEEN (A. Murray): Put in a storming finish to almost grab the glory in a two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle. She was impeded before the second last which gives further merit to the performance.
Flanagan ban
Sean Flanagan, rider of Degenerous, weighed in at 2.2 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider, who stated that he had lost some weight to ride at 10 stone but felt dehydrated after weighing out and consequently had a drink of water. The stewards were satisfied that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for two race days having taken his previous record into consideration.