JESSICA Harrington and Robbie Power were quick off the mark in Down Royal last Friday as the pair enjoyed success in the opening two races on the card, with the double paying almost 24/1.
The Blessingindisguise Partnership’s Lake Champlain, who won a flat handicap in June at this track, was first up in the two-mile Molson Coors 3YO Maiden Hurdle.
He was left in the lead when Nice Vintage unseated Luke Dempsey at the third last. Tocororo provided the main threat but couldn’t match Lake Champlain on the run-in as he scored by half a length at 7/2.
Afterwards, Power said: “I was hoping the horse that fell three out would lead me for a bit longer. I was left in front a lot sooner than I wanted but he has gone about his business when the other two came to me.
“He was a bit green in front but put his head down and galloped. He jumped the last really well. Jessica’s horses have been flying all summer.”
The double was secured with Flaviana in the mares’ maiden hurdle. The 9/2 shot, owned by Rea Restaurant Limited, kept on well after the last to take the spoils by a length and a half.
Power commented: “It worked out well. She ran well the last day in Cork, she settled better there. They went very slowly (today) and she toughed it out well. She dug deep.
“She is only learning to race, she has been far too free in her races. A strongly run two miles would be ideal for her.”
Local trainer Sarah Dawson was delighted to see Degenerous (20/1) make a visit to the winner’s enclosure after the two miles and six furlongs handicap hurdle.
Roger Loughran sent the seven-year-old into a clear lead which they increased at the halfway stage. The advantage was reduced at the third last but she soon asserted again and went away to win by four lengths in the colours of the trainer’s husband Dr Joe Dawson.
“That mare deserved it, she’s so genuine. I knew she was as fit as a flea and I said to Roger ‘don’t leave any petrol’. She has been in rude health. She has never had any luck in-running. She’ll be even better over fences,” the trainer explained.
Donagh Meyler steered 9/4 joint favourite Cassells Rock home by a length in The Kerry Foods Rated Hurdle.
Tony Martin’s charge moved into a challenging position coming to the second last and put the race away before the final obstacle.
Meyler said: “He did it well, he travelled well and jumped well. He got away through the ground.” Martin enjoyed a one-two in this contest as Pires took the runner-up berth.
Recent Kilbeggan winner Rock On Rosie was popular with punters and the confidence proved well founded as she decisively landed the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Adrian Joyce’s mare was backed from 7/1 to 5/1 to give owner Geraldine Devine a winner. She was too strong for her 11 opponents as she put three and three quarter lengths on Ciankyle.
Joyce said: “She came out of the race well the last day. I didn’t worry about dropping back in trip as she has plenty of boot and settled well.”
Little Mitch was only caught close home in Roscommon but went one better in The Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles. Yvonne Latta’s six-year-old mare could be called the winner before the last flight and didn’t stop on the run-in as she came in six lengths to the good. She sported the silks of Latta’s husband Charlie.
Latta was represented by her son Andrew who said of the 13/8 favourite: “Mark (Walsh) said she travelled much better without the hood. She has improved a good bit from Roscommon. She’ll go on summer soft ground and is tough and hardy. We’ll try and get a bit of blacktype with her before the ground goes bottomless.”
Cottersrock was the comfortable winner of the bumper for northern handler Jerry Cosgrave. He was sent off the 3/1 favourite on the back of a half-length runner-up finish in Kilbeggan.
Noel McParlan took him to the front a furlong and a half from home and the duo powered away to win by four and three-quarter lengths.
Cosgrave said: “Two and a half miles was too far for him in Roscommon and he should have won in Kilbeggan. He has a bit of a future at two miles. He’s for sale and if he’s not sold he’ll jump a hurdle.”
ACTING STEWARDS
R. S. Martin, N.B. Wachman, Ms M. Cosgrave, J. Hunt, P.W. Murtagh
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CATCHERAGAIN (T. Mullins): Stayed on strongly to get to within a length and a half of the winner. She is lightly raced and can win over hurdles.